After a long-fought community campaign, the New South Wales Government has announced it will introduce a container deposit scheme (CDS) across the state.
The decision follows a grassroots campaign that has been running for over a decade.
President of Local Government New South Wales (LGNSW), Councillor Keith Rhoades said the local government sector is celebrating the move.
“This is a real win-win for the community, achieved despite intense lobbying by the vested interests of big beverage companies,” said Cr Rhoades.
“It follows a 13-year community campaign, led by the Boomerang Alliance of more than 30 community groups and the local government sector, and will deliver both environmental and economic benefits.”
The CDS is expected to help cut litter by 40 percent by 2020 and eliminate up to 50 percent of marine plastic pollution. Analysis has found the move also makes economic sense, boosting the recycling sector by $150 million each year and attracting private investment in new recycling depots to be built across the state.
Cr Rhoades said indirect economic benefits would also be delivered through the existing kerbside collection schemes run by councils.
“The refunds for containers collected as part of existing kerbside collection schemes will go to councils, who will seek to pass the benefit back to their community through either better or cheaper services.”
Cr Rhoades commended New South Wales Environment Minister Mark Speakman for listening to the community’s concerns.
“It’s good to see a Government Minister genuinely consulting and listening to local government and the community instead of vested interests.
“It shows that people power really does work, and that working collaboratively with councils and community groups delivers the strongest outcomes for the people of NSW.
“We are keen to remain part of the conversation, particularly to ensure that the rollout of the scheme works equally well right across the state.”
