After numerous consultant reports and cries of unsustainable costs associated with a Tasmanian container refund scheme, the state government bit the bullet this week.
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Somewhat of a turnaround by Environment Minister Elise Archer who said in January that any scheme must be in the public interest and cost-effective for one to be implemented.
Thursday's decision to have a scheme in place by 2022 has long been called for by broad sections of the community to help combat the large amount of plastic litter on roadsides, in the bush or clogging our waterways.
And a scheme should go some way to reducing the fact that 41 per cent of litter is made up of drink containers.
They have a proven track record in other states and countries and Victoria is now Australia's only jurisdiction without a scheme or plans to implement one.
Key details for a Tasmanian scheme such as the refund amount, how it will be managed and where the containers will end up still needs to be determined.
However, anything is better than nothing and the three-year timeframe from the government is reasonable considering the need for private enterprise and new legislation to be passed.
The Environmental Protection Authority last year suggested 10 cents per container, similar to NSW, South Australia and Queensland schemes, which would result in $138 million being refunded over two decades.
Not peanuts.
Cash that will flow back into the Tasmanian economy through volunteer organisations, sporting clubs and schools.
A significant cost, but the impacts for a state that sells itself as a pristine destination can only be positive.
A 2009 report found a scheme would reduce litter by 35 per cent statewide and increase recycling by 78 per cent over a 20-year period.
Something we say is certainly worth investing in.