Big Bottle Tour hits the road
A GROUP of Beechworth residents are set to hit the road to reinforce their belief that a 10-cent refund on bottles and cans would help address Victoria’s litter woes.
Locals Kathryn Chivers and Karen Nankervis are part of a campaign – The Big Bottle Tour – to encourage the state government to introduce a similar refund scheme as NSW, Queensland, WA, and of course SA & NT.
The tour has been organised by the Boomerang Alliance and its passengers will eventually take their findings to the premier’s office.
Through Plasticwise Beechworth, they are bringing this campaign and its three-metre large bottle to Beechworth in a bid to get others to support the initiative.
“I’m an active member of Rotary and Plasticwise Beechworth and we think this will reduce litter and keep cans and bottles out of landfill”, Ms Chivers said.
“This scheme also has great fundraising potential for our community groups.
It makes no sense for us to lose out when our neighbours across the border have the scheme.”
Ms Chivers said the government should seriously consider introducing a scheme and take Australia a big step closer to a national solution to beverage container litter.
“It’s a simple solution that would solve a lot of problems,” she said.
Both Karen and Kathryn encourage people to visit the campaign page (The Big Bottle Tour) and follow the Big Bottle when it comes to Beechworth on Sunday 8th April. It will be at the kiosk at the town roundabout between 1 and 3pm.
A bottle and can collection will be held, just to see what it would be like to have a Victorian ‘Cash for Containers’ scheme.
Bring along cans and plastic bottles to receive cash refund (maximum 10 items per person, while allocated funds are available).
There will also be information about Plasticwise, soft plastic collection, etc.
Campaign members will also conduct cleanups along the way, collecting cans and bottles to fill up the giant coke bottle in tow.
These items will be delivered to Premier Daniel Andrews’ office at the end of the tour.
For more information about the tour, contact Kathryn Chivers on 0428 282 968 or email kchivers57@gmail.com, or call Karen Nankervis on 0407 261 927 or email karen.nankervis@bigpond.com.