2021-04-14
The Victorian Greens have welcomed the state government’s cash for containers scheme and say it will help to significantly clean up our recycling and reduce stockpiling.
The introduction of a 10c refund on bottles and cans is a direct result of Greens in Parliament, who drafted and introduced legislation for a scheme and also initiated the Parliamentary inquiry which recommended the policy.
In 2019 more than 50 industry experts, environmental groups and councils unanimously supported a Victorian scheme through their submissions to the Greens-established waste and recycling inquiry.
Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said the Greens were happy with the final design of the scheme and hoped to work with the government to ensure the scheme’s success.
She added that while the Greens had spent nearly a decade campaigning for a cash for containers scheme in Victoria and introduced legislation that was knocked back by Labor several times, it was good to see the government finally overcome their inertia and take important steps towards tackling the waste crisis.
We also need to create a market for the recycled materials by mandating minimum recycled content in packaging, starting with 70 per cent recycled plastic in single-use PET bottles.
The Premier can end this crisis now, he just needs to prioritise our environment, our rivers, ocean and wildlife.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
"This scheme will help to reduce the massive levels of waste being dumped in landfill and protect our precious environment. And it’s a direct result of having Greens in Parliament.
"When the waste crisis erupted the Victorian Government was slow to act, but the Greens started a Parliamentary Inquiry into the crisis which recommended a ‘cash for containers’ policy in Victoria. Now the Government will adopt this recommendation.
"This will be an important first step."