Media Release 8 September, 2008

South Australia leads the country on container deposit legislation

South Australia’s doubling of its container deposit from five cents to ten cents should act as a wake up all to other states and territories, Clean Up Australia chairman Ian Kiernan AO said today.

“South Australia is again proving itself to be the leading state when it comes to the environment,” Mr Kiernan said.

“The rest of Australia has been dragging its heels on a refund scheme and the damage done to the environment shows up again and again on Clean Up Australia Day.

“With the container deposit at five cents, South Australia has enjoyed a recycling rate of cans and bottles of between 75-85 per cent while the rate in other states is less than half this. However that still means there are about 8000 tonnes of recyclable drink containers ending up in landfill in South Australia each year.

“The doubling of the amount people receive as a refund for recycling their drink containers will no doubt act as a major incentive for South Australians to recycle, resulting in even fewer drink containers rubbishing our environment.

“Let’s hope the other states and territories support South Australia’s leadership and act in the national interest to significantly lift recycling rates through a national container deposit scheme.

“A national container deposit scheme like the one in place in South Australia is definitely the way forward for Australia on recycling.”

ENDS

For further information contact Alana Mew, 0423 77 567

 

 

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