With the Cash for Containers scheme now in place in the Northern Territory as reported last week by Australian Food News. NT’s Consumer Affairs government department has warned companies that unfair price rises could result in fines. NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson has urged Territorians to report any extreme price rises claimed to be as a result of the Cash for Containers scheme to a dedicated consumer affairs hotline. Mr Henderson said, “Consumer Affairs have the powers to slap suppliers with... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has reported that its new technologies for the self-manufacture of lighter PET plastic beverage bottles delivered a reduction in the carbon footprint of each bottle by 22%. This is said to be equivalent to 1700 cars being removed from Sydney roads per year. CCA’s claims are set out in a detailed Corporate Responsibility Report issued this week by the company. The Corporate Responsibility Report ironically coincides with recent financial reporting by CCA that  featured its... ...Read more »

The Ardagh Group has announced that it has begun manufacturing the first Australian-made aluminium beverage bottles at its facility in Taree, NSW. Ardagh said it took the decision to extend the Taree aluminium portfolio from aerosols to aluminium bottles after its research identified an opportunity to enter a niche, but growing, market segment. “Aluminium bottles offer some specific advantages to beverage brand owners,” said Ardagh Group business development manager Sion Orritt. “The... ...Read more »

South Australia has announced trials of Container Deposit ‘reverse vending machines’, where can and bottle collectors can put their cans and bottles into a ‘hole in the wall’ for a return of their 10c deposit. The machines, to be trialled at Centro Hollywood Shopping Centre, are intended to further boost uptake of South Australia’s Container Deposit system, which processes over 540 million containers every year – the largest in Australia. RVM’s are common in... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest brewer, Foster’s, is reinstating the 375ml range of Cascade beers after loyal customers of the brand voiced their disapproval regarding a decision to reduce the bottle size by 45ml in March last year. Their customers were upset that the fall in volume was not met with a consequent drop in price, as the company sought to give the bottle a more “European” appearance. Foster’s spokeswoman Felicity Watson told AAP today that sales of the Tasmanian produced... ...Read more »