Call for container recycling scheme
Concerned Baw Baw resident Ian Honey wrote to state Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio in May urging the government to “not let up” on wider environmental issues despite the immediate concerns presented by the coronavirus at the time.
Mr. Honey received a reply last mnth confirming the government’s plans to implement a CDS by 2022/23. Mr. Honey said that whilst it was positive that the government had committed to the project that it was disappointing that Victoria would be the last state government to submit to such a scheme. “South Australia has had a scheme in place since 1977 and the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland governments have implemented similar programs in recent years.”
Victoria had a container deposit scheme in the 1980s called “Cash for Cans” which was disbanded in 1989. In 2009 the Victorian Greens introduced a bill for a CDS which was quashed by the government at the time.
In the ensuing years state parliaments have debated various schemes, however wrangling on if the costs of a CDS outweighed the benefits and arguments as to whether such legislation should be implemented at the national level has given rise to little progress being made until this year.
In February, as part of a major overhaul of waste and recycling policy, the minister announced that the state would introduce a CDS by 2023. This decision made Victoria the last state jurisdiction in Australia to support a CDS.
Significant consultation with industry and local government will be undertaken in an attempt to make the introduction of the scheme as smooth and effective as possible. It is hoped that a CDS will help the community extract more value from plastic, glass and aluminum containers and that the recycling infrastructure required will support more regional jobs. Such a scheme should also mean financial benefits for material recovery facilities and local governments and reduced litter in the community. It is also hoped that the scheme will make producers more responsible for the end stage of their products.
Mr. Honey is encouraged by the policy announcement despite Victoria being the last state to introduce a CDS. “I am certainly no single-issue person but I think we all have a responsibility to try and leave the environment in a better state than we found it” said Mr. Honey. “Having travelled to a number of countries I have often been shocked at the environmental impact that waste and rubbish has on the environment.”
Mr. Honey said that being a grandparent had contributed a lot to his interest in conserving the environment and to programs like the container deposit scheme.
“I am passionate about this cause largely as I am a grandparent concerned at what my grandchildren will be faced with in the future if we don’t take steps to improve the environment right now.”
The Bushfire Recovery Centre at Tonimbuk has closed temporarily as a result of Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions being re-imposed in Cardinia Shire last week.
However, people can still access the recovery team by ‘phoning 5629 8571 or by email to recovery@cardinia.vic.gov.au
The centre located at the Tonimbuk Hall has been open to the public on Mondays and Fridays will re-open as soon as permitted.
The recovery centre was established by Cardinia Shire to provide business, health and well-being and community assistance after the Bunyip complex bushfire in March last year.
The bushfire burned through 15000 hectares and affected 300 properties.