STUDY FINDS REFUND SCHEME FOR BOTTLES/CANS IN NSW IS NEEDED
Study finds refund scheme for bottles/cans in NSW urgently needed
Media Release - 15 February, 2009
Over a third of all rubbish found in New South Wales on Clean Up Australia Day last year was related to drink cans and bottles, highlighting the urgent need for improved recycling rates, Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said today.
The 2008 Clean Up Australia Rubbish Report revealed that over half of all rubbish collected by the 345,000 volunteers across New South Wales could have been recycled through normal kerbside collections.
Supporting the findings, Mr Kiernan also released the results of an opinion poll that found that 89 per cent of New South Welshmen would support the introduction of a scheme that gave a 10-cent refund on drink cans and bottles.
Mr Kiernan said that while household recycling is successful, the Rubbish Report highlights the importance of introducing other recycling systems away from the home and pointed to South Australia’s container deposit scheme as an example of a successful model.
More than 1000 tonnes of beverage related rubbish was collected in NSW on Clean Up Australia Day 2008, including bottle caps, plastic and glass bottles and labels. The total amount of plastic collected was higher than in any other state.
“In NSW, and most other states, beverage waste makes up a significant proportion of the rubbish found dumped in the environment. In stark contrast, that figure is only around 10 per cent in SA” Mr Kiernan said.
“Consumer behaviour needs to improve but government and industry also need to share responsibility for tackling waste created away from the home where kerbside recycling doesn’t operate.
“Everyone in New South Wales can immediately take matters into their own hands on Sunday 1 March by getting involved in Clean Up Australia Day and helping to clean up their local environment.”
Clean Up Australia Day has been made possible through the support of major sponsors: McDonald's, Veolia Environnement and Commonwealth Bank, sponsors: Sanyo, suppliers: Pro Safety Gear, Qantas, Shop-A-Docket and Stockland.
Anyone can still register a Clean Up site by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or by calling 1800 CUAD DAY (1800 282 329).
Copies of the broadcast quality TV community service announcement ‘If you don’t help Clean Up Australia, who will’ are available on request.
Further information or interviews: Alana Mew, 0423 377 567
