West Australian roads and paths are littered with glass - if you think it is getting worse you would be right. A recent report shows that we have the second highest level of glass litter after NSW (pdf).

One way to reduce broken glass is to encourage people to return containers for a deposit. South Australia has had deposits for returned beverage containers since 1975. It was so successful they expanded the scheme in 2003. It is estimated that South Australia recovers more than double the quantities of beer bottles, soft drink glass and plastic soft drink containers than do other States of Australia.

Read more about the South Australian success story.

The BTA supports the campaign to introduce container deposit legislation in WA. Here is the latest news.

Friday, 9 February 2007

The WA Government has appointed consultants McLennan Magasanik Associates to undertake a full economic analysis including triple bottom line consideration of container deposit systems (CDS). South Australia, meanwhile, is to review its landfill levy.

The Stakeholder Advisory Group formed to investigate the benefits of the deposit-refund system in WA released an interim report in September which found it would at least double WA's present beverage container recycling rate.

Group chair John Hyde told EMN the report has been finalised and will be handed to Environment Minister Tony McRae shortly.
"[CDS] would significantly increase recycling of bottles and cans by capturing containers consumed away from home," he said.

"Away from home beverage consumption is a major source of litter, and represents nearly half of all beverages sold.
"Millions of drink containers consumed in public places do not make it into kerbside recycling and most end up in landfill.

"One particularly interesting finding is the potential to use 'reverse vending machines' at shopping centres and other popular locations."
The group also found CDS would support existing kerbside recycling and reduce waste management costs for councils, primarily by shifting costs to the producers and consumers of the products and by taking bottles out of kerbside bins, reducing the problem of glass fines contaminating other materials.

"Container deposits would substantially remove this contamination, while also allowing local government to collect deposits on those containers that are placed in kerbside bins," said Hyde.

The advisory group also highlighted other benefits, including the creation of a network of collection points that could be used for other problem wastes, such as computers and batteries, and the fact CDS would encourage recycling in rural and regional areas.

From Environment Management news

Get involved

Tell the Environment Minister why you want to see container deposit legislation enacted in WA.

Here are some ideas for points to raise...

1. I ride a bike for transport and recreation
2. I am a member of the BTA and xxx Cycling Club (if appropriate)
3. I am appalled (or annoyed, upset, or disappointed) about the amount of broken glass on bikepaths and roads which discourages bicycle use
4. I strongly support your moves to introduce bottle deposit legislation which will substantially reduce the amount of broken glass in public areas
5. Reducing broken glass levels will increase bicycle transport and recreation and hence substantially improve community health levels, and reduce both our oil vulnerability and CO2 emissions.

e-Mail: david-templeman@dpc.wa.gov.au

(please cc a copy to BTA_WA@hotmail.com so that we can summarise the views and make sure that we get as much mileage as possible from your efforts).

'Snail mail' Address your letter to:

The Hon David Templeman
Minister for the Environment
29th Floor, Allendale Square
77 St George's Terrace
Perth 6000

Thanks to Bruce Robinson for his support to the BTA for this campaign and thanks also to Glen Lacey for compiling this annotated list of links .

Find out more

Western Australia

Conservation Council of WA Statement of Position, and request for support. (pdf)

A report by The Boomerang Alliance entitled “Container Deposits – The Common Sense Approach.” (pdf)

A response to the Boomerang Alliance Report prepared by Perchards, an EU based packaging industry consultancy.(pdf)

Australia

Recyclers of South Australia Inc. Information regarding CDL in South Australia.

VIC CDL campaign site. “How big is the problem?” “What can be done?”

Independent Review of Container Deposit Legislation in New South Wales. PDF docs of the review (conducted in 2002) and responses.

NSW CDL campaign site. “The benefits” “How to help make it happen”

International

Campaign for CDL in New Zealand

Wide ranging site, predominantly USA based, regarding CDL legislation and campaigns.

Details how CDL works in Richmond Canada.