Australian drinks container deposit system proposed

The Canmaker: "The Australian government this week heard proposals from environmentalists for the introduction of a nationwide drinks container deposit and recovery scheme.
At a hearing in Melbourne the Australian Greens told an upper house committee that the government should establish a refundable levy on each container, similar to the one already in action in South Australia.

Industry body the Australian Food and Grocery Council and aluminium manufacturer Alcoa are against the scheme, saying that it will cost taxpayers up to A$500 million (US$417m) a year to run and increase costs to business and consumers.

The Australian Greens say that their Container Deposit Legislation would be cost neutral, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.4 million tonnes per year and could save ratepayers almost A$60 million dollars a year.

The plan, which also has support from Australians for Refunds on Cans and Bottlers and Senator Steve Fielding, would apply a 10 cent levy on each drinks container, which would be recovered by consumers when they recycle it"