THE state government still wants to wait and see if there is national reform on a container deposit scheme, despite a call for action from the Legislative Council.
Last year, a majority of MLCs supported a motion from Western Tiers MLC Greg Hall for a container deposit scheme.
Mr Hall has since written to Environment Minister Brian Wightman urging him to take heed.
``This issue has been discussed at a national level for more than a decade and it is time that Tasmania followed South Australia and introduced a state-based system,'' Mr Hall said.
Mr Wightman said he first wanted to wait and see what came out of the national investigation into the same issue.
``In 2009, a study into container deposit schemes found that implementation in Tasmania would require an initial outlay of between $10-14 million,'' he said.
``Our preference is to support efforts to seek an appropriate solution at the national level, and we have actively participated in that work.''
Last year, all environment ministers backed the commissioning of a consultation paper on the issue.
That was released last month, and includes a cost-benefit analysis, as well as likely time-frames, for a number of options to reduce packaging and increase recycling.
Submissions can be made on the Packaging Impacts Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement until March 30. A public forum on the issue will also be held in Hobart on February 17 from 9-11.30am.
For details visit www.ephc.gov.au/product-stewardsh ip/packaging-impacts
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