[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Greens Disappointed at Missed Opportunity But Urge NSW to Go Ahead with Container Deposit Scheme (Greens NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC)

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
1.05.14
Greens Disappointed at Missed Opportunity But Urge NSW to Go Ahead with Container Deposit Scheme
Greens NSW MP and Environment Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has expressed disappointment in the failure of the Federal and State Governments to establish a national Container Deposit Scheme. Dr Faruqi has urged the NSW Minister for the Environment, Rob Stokes, to follow the South Australia in implementing a container deposit scheme in New South Wales.

"I am disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that Coalition governments across the country have taken the side of big business instead of the environment yet again, and failed to endorse a national container deposit scheme.

"The NSW Environment Minister, Rob Stokes, has indicated that he will look at a container deposit scheme as one option and I urge him to not listen to the industry propaganda and start looking at the evidence of how a container deposit scheme can clean up New South Wales.

"Industries which produce waste should be responsible for its entire lifecycle, including recovery, recycling and ultimate disposal.

"The Greens are strong supporters of evidence based policy and I have had a bill to introduce a container deposit scheme in NSW parliament since late last year.

"Container Deposit Schemes have been successfully implemented in over 40 jurisdictions around the world (including European and Asian countries and many states in the US), and are a proven tool to reduce litter and improve waste management.

"In South Australia, where a container deposit scheme has been in place since the early 1970s, recovery rates have skyrocketed whilst remaining stagnant in the rest of the country.

"A Container Deposit Scheme is one of the most effective litter control and recycling policy tools available to the NSW Government - it achieves high container recovery rates, reduces environmental pollution and leaves our beaches, parks and public areas cleaner and greener.

"The vast majority of environmental groups, including Clean Up Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation as well as many local councils also support container deposit schemes", she concluded.


More Information
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/30/cash-for-drink-containers-national-plan-dumped-by-state-territory-ministers?CMP=twt_fd

Media Contact: Matt Hilton 0423 106 247

Online Version: http://www.mehreenfaruqi.org.au/greens-disappointed-at-missed-opportunity-but-urge-nsw-to-go-ahead-with-container-deposit-scheme/

Matt Hilton
Legislative, Policy and Media Adviser

Office of Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC
Legislative Council | NSW Parliament
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