2020-02-02
The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Government's decision to introduce a cash for containers scheme across the state.
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.
Last year 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.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for environment, Ellen Sandell, applauded the Government's announcement and said that a 10c refund on bottles and cans would be an important first step towards solving the state's waste crisis, but that the introduction date of 2023 is too late, and called for it to be brought forward.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens spokesperson for environment, Ellen Sandell MP:
"This is a direct result of having Greens in Parliament. When the waste crisis erupted, the Victorian Government was slow to act and quick to pass the buck, 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.
"While 2023 is a long time to wait and this is just the first step, it's a good start. We hope the Government will also consider establishing a new glass-only recycling bin, a mandatory percentage of recycled content in things like roads and park benches, and a plastic recycling plant in Victoria.
"There's no need to wait until 2023 to start this. The Greens have legislation before Parliament right now that the Andrews Government could pass right away."