February 19, 2013
AAP
A LEGAL challenge by three major beverage companies to the Northern Territory’s cash for containers recycling scheme is set to be determined in the Federal Court.
The court will consider the application by Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), Schweppes Australia and Lion Pty Ltd in Sydney on Tuesday.
The companies oppose the NT scheme which involves a 10 cent deposit on drink purchases, refundable when the container is returned to a designated recycling agent.
The scheme has been running for just over a year and is similar to one that has been operating in South Australia for decades.
Coca-Cola said in a statement on Tuesday that if the challenge was successful, it would move quickly to reduce its drinks prices in the NT after they were raised to cover the cost of the scheme.
It said the scheme had been an environmental failure “with two out of every three containers sold not being recycled – well below the national average”.
But NT Chief Minister Terry Mills says his government is committed to fighting the challenge by the drinks giants.
On Monday two Greenpeace activists were arrested after unfurling a banner outside Coca-Cola Amatil’s headquarters in North Sydney to protest against the the company’s legal challenge.
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