CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME
539. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the list of beverage containers covered by the
container deposit scheme.
(1) Why are
the one-litre and three-litre or greater plastic containers of water intended
for human consumption excluded from the container deposit scheme?
(2) Will the minister review the scheme to include
five, 10 and 15-litre bottles of water and 22-litre kegs of water?
(3) If no to (2), why not, given the extensive use of
plastics in these products?
(4) Given that
there are currently two methods of providing 15-litre bottles of water, one
recyclable with a deposit on the bottle and the other a disposable bottle at a cheaper
price, will the minister standardise these to ensure that all bottles are
recyclable via deposit?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question.
(1) This
government is looking forward to establishing the container deposit scheme in
2020 to reduce litter, increase recycling and deliver positive outcomes for
social enterprise. It is not often that five, 10 or 15-litre bottles—or,
indeed, 22-litre kegs—are littered. I strongly support recycling these
items through existing recycling facilities.
(2)–(5) It
is important that there is consistency regarding the eligibility of containers
included in container deposit schemes across Australia. This consistency
reduces barriers to trade across borders, lessens confusion for customers, and
minimises costs to industry. In order to maintain this consistency, any review
of eligible containers will be undertaken collaboratively and in close
consultation with other states and territories.