The first review of Australia’s ten cent refund laws for bottles and cans was released late last week, assessing the performance of each state and territory and highlighting future challenges.
Jeff Angel, Director of the Total Environment Centre, said the Container Refund Schemes (CRS) play a crucial role in developing Australia’s circular economy.
“The CRS deliver billions of drink containers for recycling each year. Nevertheless, we should be aiming for 90 per cent return rates, well above the current national 65 per cent,’’ he said
The review used 24 criteria across a range of areas including recycling rates; type, number and convenience of refund points; litter reduction; governance and accountability; and economics.
Angel said there are weaknesses, strengths and lessons to be learnt in each jurisdiction.
“For example: Australia’s oldest Container Refund Schemes in South Australia has severe problems with governance, accountability and credibility of data on recycling rates and costs. Newer schemes are much improved on these factors,” he said.
“New South Wales has the best level of refund point convenience for metro consumers and households, while Queensland’s could use improvement.
“Western Australia has a good Strategic Plan and a clear target, but other states and territories don’t.’’
To keep up the momentum of the scheme and get each state to increased levels of recycling, Angel said it’s important to push for improvement.
“The inclusion of wine and spirit glass bottles and larger containers; increasing the participation rate particularly with apartment dwellers and the food service sector; and more refund points at major retail sites will all help to improve the level of return,” he said.
“All schemes have made major inroads into drink container litter. More frequently, collected glass and plastic bottles are being converted back into drink containers, helping build a domestic circular economy.
“Eventually Australia should be achieving a 90 plus recycling rate, which would significantly improve the climate, circular economy, financial and litter benefits.”
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