There is growing support for a container deposit scheme in Tasmania.
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The Local Government Association of Tasmania has joined a Tasmanian academic in arguing that the scheme would reduce litter and increase recycling.
University of Tasmania senior lecturer Dr Joanna Vince says a container deposit scheme would greatly reduce marine plastic pollution.
LGAT chief executive Katrena Stephenson said that LGAT’s waste and resource management strategy, released in 2017, called on the state government to consider a container deposit scheme.
“In July 2017, LGAT members moved that the association lobby the state government to introduce container deposit legislation for the state and a similar motion has been put forward for our July 2018 meeting,” Dr Stephenson said.
“The motion calls on the state government to investigate the best model for the implementation of a scheme within Tasmania.”
LGAT sat on the steering committee overseeing the state government’s investigation of a potential model for a container refund scheme for Tasmania.
“This work was completed in April and we eagerly await the government commencing consultation with the broader sector on the recommendations,” Dr Stephenson said.
The government is currently considering the report.
In 2014 a report found that a scheme would benefit local government by $28 million on net present value from 2014-15 to 2034-35 through collected container redemption and avoidance of kerbside recycling costs.
It also found that over the 20 year period a Tasmanian container deposit scheme would reduce beverage container litter by an estimated 6271 tonnes – a reduction of 35 per cent on baseline volumes.
It would also increase the rate of container recycling to 78 per cent but would cost about $10 million to operate each year.
Labor’s environment spokeswoman Ella Haddad said Labor supported in principle a container deposit scheme.
“The government committed funding to a feasibility study in last year’s budget. Has the study been completed?” Ms Haddad said.
“The study should be released to inform public debate on the design and cost of a container deposit scheme.”
Greens environment spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said Tasmania has long had the worst recycling rates in the country.
“There’s nothing clean, green or clever about being a state with the lowest recycling rates,” Dr Woodruff said.
“With states like NSW and Queensland joining South Australia in implementation of container deposit schemes, Tasmania is being left behind.
“The Liberals are now sitting on a report from the EPA about a Tasmanian cash for container scheme.
“We need to get on with putting the breaks on roadside and water pollution, and join the other states and territories.”
Dr Woodruff said cash for container schemes help clean up Tasmania’s parks and beaches, and increase fundraising and support community groups in the process.
“They are a win for the environment, and a win for the community - so let’s not waste any more time,” she said.