Another plug to give plastic a value
A petition calling for the introduction of a cash-for-trash bottle refund scheme, similar to old bottle refunds was submitted to Parliament’s Environment Select Committee last week.
Backed by local government and environment groups, Zero Waste campaigners Holly Dove and Hannah Blumhardt presented the petition, and asked the committee to recommend the government introduce a mandatory refund scheme for beverage containers.
Holly, co-ordinator of The Kiwi Bottle Drive, said there had been a huge swell of public support over recent months, councils and numerous organisations also supporting the cause.
“Bottle refunds are a nobrainer,” she said. “It’s a really simple and super-effective waste minimisation tool that New Zealand could implement right now using existing legislation. And while doubling our recycling rate and cleaning up our streets, a bottle refund scheme would mean great fundraising opportunities for community groups and schools, a win-win for people and planet.”
She had delivered the petition late last year, with a support team including Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, who said his council supported bottle deposits, a “back to the future” solution and the next logical step in waste minimisation and a zero waste economy.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Jessica Desmond said her organisation supported bottle deposits as part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the plastics crisis.
“Plastic bottles and other beverage containers are a huge part of the waste problem in New Zealand, and far too many of these materials are ending up in landfills, leaking into the environment or being shipped overseas to be someone else’s problem. With bottle deposits we can have closed-loop recycling and refillable options on-shore,” she said.
“Globally plastic waste is choking our oceans. We urgently need a plan and better systems, like bottle refunds, to protect them.”
Hannah said setting up a deposit scheme would not be complicated.
“The government already has the power to set up bottle deposits under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. You couldn’t really ask for a more popular, do-able and effective environmental policy,” she said.
Zero Waste Network chairman Marty Hoffart, representing community recyclers , said there would be significant community benefits.
“We have a network of community recyclers and transfer stations across the country that can act as drop-off points, and supermarkets can invest in reverse vending machines if they wish. There is no good reason for further delay on bottle deposits. We’re ready to go, we’re just waiting on the Associate Minister for the Environment to give this the green light.”
Holly said the petition was just the beginning of the public push for bottle deposits.
“We have the opportunity to learn from international best practice to design a uniquely Kiwi scheme. We have the opportunity to create jobs in a circular economy, while stopping needless waste and protecting the life of the oceans from plastic pollution,” she said. “Bottle deposits are a win for us and our environment. Now we’re looking forward to some government action.”