2016-05-20
The Greens are calling on the state government to establish a cash-for-container scheme and have announced a national scheme to be established should the state government fail to act to protect the Gold Coast’s beaches from plastic pollution.
At a beach clean-up at the Spit today, Qld Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader, said:
“Plastic pollution is clogging up our beaches and oceans in alarming volumes, by 2050 scientists believe plastic in the ocean will equal the weight of all fish life.
“We can stop plastic bottles reaching our beaches and oceans by establishing a cash-for-container scheme, which provides an incentive to recycle beverage containers.
“The Queensland Government has made some positive noises about a state cash-for-container scheme but we still don’t have a scheme in place, while other states are already seeing the benefits.
“The state government and federal government must work together to stop plastic polluting our tourism icons.
“Under the Australian Greens’ national plan, to come into effect if the state government fails to deliver a scheme by 2020, for every drink bottle, can or carton you recycle, you would receive 10 cents in return.
“The scheme would be partly funded by private investment and would generate new green jobs,” Senator Waters said.
Greens Candidate for Moncrieff Roger Brisbane said cash-for-container schemes already existed in South Australia and the Northern Territory. New South Wales has announced a scheme to begin from July next year.
“Despite progress in other states, here in Queensland, where we have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world to protect, the state government is dragging its heels.
“In South Australia, where a cash-for-container scheme has been in place for decades, 84 per cent of beverage containers are recycled – the highest rate in Australia – so we know this works,” Mr Brisbane said.
Greens Candidate for Fadden Daniel Kwon said a cash-for-container scheme would complement local efforts to protect beaches from pollution.
"We have wonderful community groups here like Boomerang Bags, who recycle fabric and sew trendy shopping bags for people to borrow and bring back, instead of using plastic bags; and Responsible Runners, who pick up rubbish during their weekly beach jogs.
“It's time we support our local efforts by taking the positive, logical steps towards a cash-for-container scheme, protect our globally renowned beaches, and keep our oceans free from plastic pollution,” Mr Kwon said.