Pisspots in Queensland, take note. You’re gonna want to start saving those empties up from now on.
Today marks the launch of the Queensland State Government’s new ‘Cash for Containers‘ scheme, which will see all Queenslanders able to return empty cans and bottles to recycling dropoff points for a 10c-per-item refund by 2018.
The scheme has been in the works for some time, and has bi-partisan support from the QLD state government.
Currently Australia uses around 14 billion drink containers per year, but only around half are properly recycled. Plastic, glass or tin drink containers account for about 25-33% of all litter produced by the country.
Queensland has been working closely with the New South Wales Government to implement schemes that would be complimentary to each other to ensure, for example, the rules that apply to a bottle of drink bought in Tweed Heads are identical to those concerning drinks in Coolangatta.
It’s estimated that the scheme could raises as much as $25million annually for community groups, as well as providing a sorely needed environmental boost for the state.
QLD state environment minister Steven Miles stated that high-level talks are underway with NSW in an effort to find one potential operator or administrator to run the scheme in both states.
“South Australia has had a similar scheme since the 1970s, the Northern Territory introduced one in 2011 and New South Wales will introduce their scheme next year.”
“We are looking at aligning our scheme with NSW, where people will be able to take empty drink containers to a collection depot or place it in a reverse vending machine to receive a 10-cent refund.”
Drinks sold in containers between 150ml and 3L in size will be eligible for the scheme, and all will be clearly marked much like the system in place in South Australia.
Both QLD and NSW will spend the next six months ironing out the finer details of the plan, which is due to launch in full in 2018.
DO YOU GET WHAT THIS MEANS, PEOPLE? ONE “FREE” CARTON FOR EVERY 20 SUCKED DOWN.
GET. IT. INDAYA.
Source: Brisbane Times.
