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 »

Amcor announced on Friday that they strongly dispute the estimate of damages suffered by Amcor customers, put forward in relation to the class action proceeding commenced by Jarra Creek Central Packaging Shed Pty Ltd.Jarra Creek has released to the parties an economist report which estimates, based on a range of disputed and contentious facts and assumptions, that the damages suffered by Amcor customers, should Jarra Creek be successful in its claim, are potentially in the vicinity of $466 million... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest soft drink producer, Coca-Cola Amatil, is considering making its own plastic bottles once again, seven years after selling their bottle manufacturing operations. The Australian bottler of Coke is seriously considering the proposal, according to a report in today’s Australian Financial Review. Amatil sold their bottle manufacturing operations to Visy in 2002 for $157 million as they focussed on manufacturing, selling and distributing their beverages. However, improvements... ...Read more »

Amcor may not have been fined by the ACCC for the much publicised collusion with Visy, but they could still receive a heavy penalty as the fallout from the cartel arrangement continues to haunt. The packaging giant is set to face the courtroom this week to battle claims made by key customer Cadbury, with the damages case that was first filed in December 2006 to finally make it to the courtroom on Wednesday. The UK-based confectioner is seeking damages of $235.8 million for allegedly paying higher... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has partnered with Oporto in Sydney and Visy Recycling to trial specially designed recycling bins in 13 Oporto outlets. This initiative, if extended to all NSW stores, could see up to 7 tonnes of bottles and cans per month being diverted from landfill and sent to Visy to be processed for reuse. Oporto customers eating at selected Oporto outlets in Sydney can now make sure their empty beverage bottles and cans are kept out of landfill by utilising the new recycling bins. Jon... ...Read more »

Cadbury’s court battle with packaging firm Amcor has again been delayed, with the damages case that was first filed in December 2006 still yet to make it to the courtroom. The UK-based confectioner is seeking damages for allegedly paying higher prices for cardboard boxes, cans and PET products as a result of collusion between packaging heavyweights Visy and Amcor. The $120 million claim centres on the much publicised cartel arrangement* between the two packaging firms, which Cadbury suggests... ...Read more »