ABOUT RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING
The Northern Territory has come a long way in the way it recycles its empty bottles and cans. More people are recycling than ever before through their convenient and easy to use kerbside recycling systems, there is less litter1 and a greater awareness of reducing the impact of rubbish on our environment.
But we can all be doing more.
The Government believes the answer is a “Cash for Containers” Scheme, where consumers across the Territory will have to pay more for their bottles and cans at the shop (10 cent deposit plus a handling fee of up to 10 cents). Consumers would then have to take empty containers to a depot to have the 10 cent deposit returned.
The Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Bill in its current form will see the introduction of an expensive and inconvenient system that threatens the viability of existing kerbside recycling systems.
A better alternative exists.
Responsible Recycling has already had discussions with the Northern Territory Government about a better alternative to the proposed “Cash for Containers” Scheme. Our Product Stewardship Model would see industry provide direct funding for projects that will have a real impact on recycling and litter reduction in the NT, while ensuring the viability and convenience of existing kerbside recycling systems is maintained.
So let’s work together to build on what we already have, instead of threatening kerbside recycling with an inconvenient and expensive inconvenient “Cash for Containers” system.
The NT Government must suspend the debate on the current Bill until all options have been investigated.
1 The Keep Australia Beautiful National Litter Index 2009-10 found that litter had decreased in the NT, from 84 items per 1,000 square metres in 2008-09 to 70 items per 1,000 square metres in 2009-10. Further, the NT has the 3rd lowest volume of litter in Australia, lower than South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia - download the report
