While Australian environment ministers reported on December 15, 2011 the substantial costs of a national Container Depositing Scheme (CDS), Australia’s leading recycling company Visy is advocating against a similar scheme for Victoria. As previously reported by Australian Food News, the Northern Territory (NT) has now implemented its own “Cash for Containers” recycling scheme, modelled on South Australia (SA)’s Container Deposit scheme, which has been operating since 1977. Although there... ...Read more »

Despite widespread media reports to the contrary, Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia’s largest beverage bottler, denied today that it has been planning to initiate legal action against the proposed Northern Territory’ Container Deposit Scheme. Last month, Australian Food News reported the Northern Territory deposit scheme was generating considerable heat. Speaking to Australian Food News today, Coca-Cola Amatil’s spokesperson Sally Loane said, “Reports that Coca-Cola Amatil is planning legal action... ...Read more »

A Communiqué by Australia’s Environment Ministers outlining a comprehensive long-term national waste strategy has been well received by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC). Meanwhile, the idea of a National Container Deposit System remains under review. The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) strategy released yesterday welcomed the support and leadership of industry in reducing packaging waste and improving recycling rates across the nation. Under the new National... ...Read more »

A Senate inquiry report released yesterday has advised that the Container Deposit Legislation not proceed at this stage, a conclusion that was welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC). The private members Bill, Environment Protection – Beverage Container Deposit and Recovery Scheme – for Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) in Australia, has the support of the Greens and Family First and would see the introduction of a 10 cent levy on each beverage container sold in the... ...Read more »

A Greens plan to introduce a national beverage deposit scheme – similar to that seen in South Australia – is currently under review by a Senate committee. The inquiry today heard from food and beverage manufacturers represented by industry body the Australian Food and Grocery Council and aluminium manufacturer Alcoa. Australians for Refunds on Cans and Bottlers also had their say on the issue that has the support of both the Greens and Family First Senator Steve Fielding. The plan would... ...Read more »

An Australia-wide drink container deposit system is being considered by the Federal Government, with Family First and the Greens both pushing for legislation similar to that seen in South Australia. The idea involves adding a 10c levy to packaged beverages, which can be recovered by consumers when they recycle it. The leading representative of food and beverage manufacturers, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, is against the push, claiming it could cost Australians almost $500 million a year... ...Read more »

Australian Food and Grocery Council Chief Executive, Kate Carnell, has said today it was disappointing that high profile members of the community were still calling for ‘costly, outdated 1970s solutions to 2009 challenges’. She was responding to continued calls from Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan for governments to introduce container deposit legislation ahead of a Ministerial Beverage Container Investigation due in May this year. Ms Carnell said that introducing container deposit... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council, Australia’s peak food and grocery manufacturing representative body, today welcomed the release of the Senate Inquiry into the Management of Australia’s Waste Streams advising the Senate that it could not support Senator Fielding’s Drink Container Recycling Bill. AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell claimed Senator Fielding’s bill, in effect a container deposit tax, has the potential to increase the price of a carton of beer or soft drink... ...Read more »