Tuesday 31 October 2023

 WMRR Congratulates Container Deposit Schemes Expanding

Tomorrow’s start of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) in Victoria and the Australian first expansion of the program in Queensland to include wine and spirit bottles is very welcome, said the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR).

"It has been another sprint to the start line for the three (3) network operators that will deliver this important scheme in Victoria.  WMRR recognises it is a phenomenal financial, legislative and logistical effort to design and implement such a change to how we manage and value materials in a scheme such as CDS. We congratulate all involved in launching this important initiative,” WMRR Chief Executive Officer Gayle Sloan said.

“WMRR is fully supportive of extended producer responsibility schemes like CDS as it rightly places the onus on the producer of the material to design for reuse and recycling, as well as placing incentives on them to manage the products’ lifecycle.

“The introduction of the CDS in Victoria is the missing piece on the mainland for this phenomenally successful scheme. It has proven to be good for the community, environment and the economy by reducing litter, increasing recycling rates and creating a high-quality stream of inputs into Australian manufacturing. We have seen in other states that as many as 600 jobs have been created as a direct result of the scheme starting.

“WMRR also welcomes the addition of wine and spirit bottles to the CDS program in Queensland, an Australian first.  WMRR believes that this will reduce confusion and create even more high-quality Australian recycled input for Australian manufacturing facilities.

“However, these changes highlight the disparity across the country with Tasmania still to announce when it will introduce its CDS. With Victoria’s scheme kicking off tomorrow, Tasmania is left as the last remaining jurisdiction in the country not to have the scheme.

“Australia is a single market and it is always most efficient for businesses and the waste and resource recovery sector if there is harmonisation across the country. The differing schemes create confusion for border communities, increase compliance costs for business and can lead to market distortion.

“It is vital Australia learns the lessons from CDS and ensures future product stewardship schemes are nationally consistent to the benefit of community and business,” she said.