Include all bottles for refund

THE belated arrival of a refund scheme for drink containers in Tasmania is welcome but the environment minister must be alert for special pleading as the legislation is drafted. In some states the alcohol lobby has seen wine and spirit bottles exempted on the grounds that they are a small part of the litter stream. However, modern refund schemes are designed not just to reduce litter but also to drive improvements in recycling rates.

The refund needs to be set at a level where people will respond; 10c may or may not be sufficient. This initiative is more important than ever because Asia is now refusing to accept Australia’s rubbish.