The unanimous vote (motion below) in the Senate to support continued operation of the Northern Territory’s Cash for Containers program is a welcome breakthrough, after the court win by Coke 2 weeks ago, said the Boomerang Alliance.
“Coke’s action in the court was deplorable and has led to widespread community outrage. The vote today in the Senate is an appropriate reflection of that and the fact that no other scheme could have achieved recycling and litter reductions to the tune of 54million beverage containers in just one year,” said Jeff Angel, National Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance.
“We understand that moves to reinstate the NT scheme are going well at COAG (Council of Australian Governments) level.”
“The Boomerang Alliance’s 24 national and state environment groups; many, many people in the community; and particularly Territorians will appreciate today’s vote by the MPs. Despite all the misleading statements from the Food and Grocery Council, Coke and other bottlers – once a scheme begins and people see the environmental, economic and charity benefits – it’s a popular winner.”
“Coke’s actions have put local businesses and jobs at risk and if the scheme ceases, the litter will just start building up again along the roads, in creeks, bushland and the ocean.”
“Australia landfills or litters about 8 billion beverage containers a year or 15,000 a minute. The only effective and financially viable solution is a 10cent refund (CDS). In a few months’ time state and federal governments and members of the packaging and beverage industry are going to have to decide if they support a national CDS or Coke. We remain open to discussing the best approach to a CDS with all parties,” Mr Angel said.
Peter Whish Wilson (Greens) moved that –
1. The Senate notes:
a) The recent Federal Court decision in the Coca-Cola Amatil (Aust) Pty Ltd v Northern Territory of Australia [2013] ruled that the Northern Territory container deposit scheme was invalid; and
b) That some beverage companies have announced that they will cease to provide container deposit refunds under the scheme.
2. The Senate calls on all Australian governments to work together to expedite consideration of any application made by the Northern Territory Government for an exemption to the Mutual Recognition Act 1992, to support the continuation of the Northern Territory Container Deposit Scheme.
For more on Boomerang Alliance’s campaigns and the original article