AACS: NSW CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME MUST BE DELAYED

December 1, 2017: The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has lent its voice to calls to delay the introduction of the half-baked Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) in NSW on the basis that the infrastructure is not in place to deliver the scheme, and the public education program has been effectively non-existent.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut says concerns raised by the convenience industry – a sector set to bear the bulk of negative consequences from the CDS – remain unaddressed, making a delay necessary.
“The simple fact is, the CDS is not in a position to commence in NSW. Retailers have recognised this, now some politicians do too. The scheme has no chance to succeed if it commences before the infrastructure and consumer education program is in place,” Mr Rogut says.
“There are reports that some regional areas have no collection points accessible to members of the public, and most people don’t know the scheme is imminent, nor how to participate in it.
“What people will understand however is that prices will jump to cover beverage manufacturers’ increased costs to comply with the CDS, and in the absence of a proper education program, their frustration will be unfairly directed at retailers.
“The NSW Government must delay the introduction of the CDS until certainty around its operation is reached. Concerns around the transition timeframe for new label requirements, and the need to allow retailers time to sell through old stock, remain unaddressed.
“It is critical for consumers to understand how the scheme works and, importantly, that retailers are not collection points for refunds, before it goes live. This means education and this has yet to occur to a satisfactory degree,” Mr Rogut said.
The AACS had previously urged the NSW Government to delay the proposed start date for the CDS to enable the practical rollout of the infrastructure and third party agreements required to deliver the scheme.
“New schemes and regulations that negatively impact retailers are too often introduced without the practical concerns of retailers being considered.,” he says.
The AACS has called for a staged rollout of the CDS to give the scheme the best chance to succeed in changing consumer behaviour and reducing litter, without disrupting small businesses. This will allow for collection points, packaging and other aspects to be scaled up over time.
Mr Rogut also noted the importance of ensuring collection points are in appropriately prominent and accessible locations to encourage consumers to participate.
The CDS is intended to operate as a refund scheme, whereby anyone who returns an empty eligible beverage container to an approved collection point receives a 10 cent refund, funded by beverage suppliers, which also fund associated handling and administration fees.
Further information:                                                                                              
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
Ph: +61 467 873 789
Media enquiries:   
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: +61 (2) 9279 4770