ANYONE who is perhaps of the same vintage as myself, will no doubt have recollections as a kid of collecting beer bottles and soft drink bottle as a ready source of pocket money. If memory serves me well, it was around ten-bob (one dollar) for 12 dozen beer bottles, lemonade bottle returned sixpence (five cents), a reward that had me scouting around the neighbourhood for bottles.
The recent announcement by the State Government to have a 10c refund scheme for drink containers is not before time and will likely provide a cash windfall for numerous community groups, charities, schools and sporting clubs.
Commenting on the announcement, Jeff Angel, director of the Boomerang Alliance, said the government had clearly done a significant amount of research before putting forward the split model as the best version for Victorians on a container deposit scheme (CDS).
“The government’s preferred approach encourages the beverage companies to be accountable for the pollution they produce, and also creates an independent operator whose focus is on maximising refund points so we can get the best of both worlds, with good engagement of drink companies and a clear focus on collecting as many used bottles and cans as possible,” he said.
“While the Victorian Government has recommended the best scheme for the community, there is no doubt the beverage giants will fight for their own, inferior version. In states where the beverage giants have run the CDS we have seen lower container returns, and it’s essential that the beverage industry’s focus on retaining profits does not contaminate the scheme’s capacity to offer the best level of refund service.”
