Bottle deposit costs

Federal and state environment ministers are considering a proposal to introduce a national Container Deposit Levy (CDL) in Australia.
This levy would see Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong residents paying an additional 10c on every water bottle, drink can, milk or wine bottle purchased.
This is termed as a “deposit”, which can be redeemed if a consumer takes the clean container to new public collection points.
Sounds great in theory, doesn’t it?
But, unfortunately, the plan simply hasn’t been thought through.
There are a host of unintended consequences, including studies that show an estimated $300 will be added to a Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong resident’s average annual shopping basket just when they are finding it tough to balance the household budget.
The proposals also threaten recycling and garbage collection services, as the City of Casey, Cardinia Shire and Greater Dandenong City councils will find it more costly to run regular recycling collections if these containers are being taken out of the system.
On top of this, there is also an increased risk to public health and sanitation caused by the hoarding and scavenging of bottles from private and public bins.
The alternative solution is to not only continue with the current scheme but to expand on this through added corporate and public initiatives.
For example, over the next 10 years, through the Australian Packaging Covenant, industry aims to invest $115 million in litter reduction and recycling schemes across the country.
Ryan Smith is encouraged to keep doing the right thing and resist the concerted push by CDL supporters to have Victoria sign up to a national CDL.
Victorians are already doing the right thing and are setting an example to the rest of Australia.
Stan Moore,
CEO,
The National Packaging Covenant Industry Association.