Boy scout millionaires can now hit NT - 12 March 2009

“I am very happy to hear the Northern Territory plans to introduce a cash for containers scheme to reduce waste and boost recycling”, says Ian Cohen, NSW Greens MLC. I join with the Member for Murray-Darling’s John Williams who today is calling for a container deposit legislation [CDL] in NSW’, says Ian Cohen.

“South Australia’s Scouts raise $7 million dollars each year from running bottle and can recycling centres, allowing their membership fees to be the lowest in Australia. If NSW had a similar scheme, the potential benefit to Scouts and other community groups is enormous.”

“How is it that South Australia, and soon the Territory, can have container deposit legislation but we still don’t have it here in NSW, the state with the largest economy, population and volume of waste

“The Premier only a few days ago announced his vision to create “green jobs” in NSW. A container deposit scheme could finance a new generation of recycling infrastructure (at no cost to local or state government) and create up to 1000 new jobs in NSW and encourage a significant cash investment in collection points such as reverse vending machines.”

“If NSW currently recycles only 38% of its drink containers compared to the 80% rate for South Australia. CDL could save local ratepayers close to $60 million per year,” says Ian Cohen.

“What is stopping NSW from implementing Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) that will keep our parklands, beaches and waterways free of rubbish? Up to 50% of the 5 billion drink containers Australians consume each year are now disposed of away from home and therefore away from kerbside recycling facilities,” says Ian Cohen.

“CDL will result in landfill reduction, litter reduction, reduced glass accidents, increased quantity of better quality recyclables, pollution reduction and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and more money for Scouts and other community groups.”

“The container deposit scheme is known to work in South Australia. Why should NSW be any different? CDL is long overdue in NSW.”