The NSW Government has published its container deposit scheme (CDS) discussion paper for public comment, the next stage in its election pledge to introduce such a program.
The discussion paper is designed to encourage feedback on how a CDS should operate in NSW and some of the scheme’s key design principles.
The NSW Government has a priority target of reducing the volume of litter by 40 per cent by 2020. It has committed to implementing a CDS by 1 July 2017
Launching the consultation on 19 December, NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said:
“Every year about 160 million beverage containers are littered across NSW communities.
This equates to 44 per cent of total litter volume – by far the largest proportion of the state’s
litter volume.
“An efficient and cost-effective container deposit scheme will help NSW reduce litter.”
Mr Speakman added that the container deposit scheme advisory committee, which contributed
invaluable input into the development of the discussion paper, was established to provide
expertise in environmental matters, industry operations, recycling, innovation, behavioural
psychology, local government and litter management.
The public consultation closes on 26 February. The discussion paper and details for submitting comments is available on the EPA NSW website.