Container deposits will benefit

communities, say local govt

AN INDEPENDENT study into container deposits systems (CDS) has revealed they will benefit councils and their communities financially, socially and environmentally, says the Local Government and Shires’ Associations (LGSA) of New South Wales.

The study found:

Council kerbside recycling service costs will be reduced by 19 to

47 percent under a CDS;

NSW councils could save $23 to $62 million annually on recycling costs;

Councils across Australia could save $69 to $183 million annually;

Materials recovery facilities will also benefit financially under a CDS, with revenues increased by up to 31 per cent;

Recycling is likely to result in a payment as opposed to a charge to

councils at the recovery facility gate;

There will be significant benefits to recycling regional/rural/remote

locations, where kerbside systems are not practicable or efficient; and,

Councils will experience significantly reduced litter collection costs and reduced environmental education costs.

Shires’ Association president, Ray Donald, says he believes the study is timely and important, with many positive findings for those with a long-held interest in CDS.

“The figures in this report are clear – CDS equals a triple bottom-line of benefits for our communities in terms of the financial, social and environmental benefits,” says Cr Donald.

“For many years it

has been asserted by a variety of other stakeholders that CDS would jeopardize the viability of kerbside recycling.

“This study objectively and rigorously tested these unsubstantiated claims, and puts the matter to rest – once and for all.

“We’ve long felt that CDS would greatly benefit rural and regional councils, where recycling can be a costly and sometimes impractical venture.

“The study reveals that assigning the 10 cents deposit and refund will finally make recycling viable for non-metropolitan councils.”

Local Government Association president, Keith Rhoades, agrees.

He says there is no downside to CDS for councils and their communities.

“The study shows that in addition to financial benefits, there are also clear environmental and social benefits to the introduction of CDS, largely resulting from the high return rates and opportunities for community groups to become involved in the recycling of containers,” says Cr Rhoades.

“We hope that when the Ministers of the Standing Committee on Environment and Water (SCEW) meet on August 24, 2012, that the study’s findings will assist their deliberations and help them to arrive at the right decision for Australia – a national container deposit system.”

The study was commissioned by the LGSA.

A full copy of the study can be found at http://www.lgsa.org.au/key-initiatives/container-deposits.