Member for Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies MLA has welcomed the announced introduction of a container deposit scheme for beverage containers in Western Australia.
The scheme is expected to start in mid-2018 and will help improve recycling and reduce littering in the State.
Under the scheme, consumers will be able to get a 10 cent refund on containers for soft drinks, bottled waters, small flavoured milk drinks, sports drinks and spirit-based mixed drinks.
“Communities are rightly proud of their natural environments and they want to ensure those natural values are protected through better waste management and recycling,” she said.
“Containers from a wide range of drinks are constantly in our litter stream and they end up in the environment, along roads and in parks and gardens.
“This scheme will benefit local communities by helping to reduce litter while also generating jobs and economic activity in the recycling sector.”
Ms Davies said community groups that undertook regular fundraising, such as charitable groups, sporting clubs, Scouts and Guides, would now be able to profit by participating in recycling activities.
Member for the Agricultural Region Martin Aldridge MLC said it was a practical way to reduce litter in the region and help keep places like the Wheatbelt beautiful.
“With a 10 cent refund on drinks containers, Western Australians will be rewarded for their recycling efforts. This initiative will complement our recycling culture and is a win for the environment, jobs, the community and the recycling industry,” Mr Aldridge said.
The container deposit scheme will complement the Western Australian Waste Strategy: Creating the right environment and the Litter Prevention Strategy for Western Australia 2015-2020.
For media enquiries please contact Mia Davies on 08 9041 1702 (Merredin office), 08 9622 2871 (Northam office) or email mia.davies@mp.wa.gov.au.
