Thursday, 16 November 2023

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) incorporated the following (609):

My adjournment is to the Minister for Environment.

The action I am seeking is an update on how the Allan Labor Government is reforming Victoria’s waste and recycling sector through the Container Deposit Scheme, and how many people in Southern Metro have deposited containers so far?

Victoria is leading the way in transforming waste and recycling systems.

We’ve recently launched the container deposit scheme, which is already bringing benefits to the Victorian community, environment, and economy.

It’s delivering more and better recycling, less waste, less litter, and hundreds of new jobs and economic opportunities across Victoria.

The scheme rewards Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible can, carton and bottle they return. It’s a fun and enticing opportunity for our community to get involved and get some extra cash in their back pockets in the process.

We’ve already seen people enthusiastically taking up this opportunity, such as ten-year-old Ashton in my electorate. Ashton collected 4,000 bottles and cans before the scheme started and is working to get to 10,000 next year.

The container deposit scheme is also offering Victorian charities, community groups, environmental groups, sporting clubs and educational organisations a new and creative way to raise money.

The Container Deposit Scheme is laying the groundwork for a better, more ecofriendly future here in Victoria.

We’re showing the nation that reducing waste can be fun and accessible to everyone.

With more than 600 refund collection points across the state, I’m proud to say that this scheme is the most accessible and convenient container scheme in Australia.

Any step forward that improves waste management and ensures ongoing opportunities for the public to recycle is always worth taking.

It’s common sense that environmental reforms work better when Government provides public education and community participation – and the latest container deposit scheme is doing exactly that.

We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform our waste and recycling sector for the better, and in the process cutting waste, and boosting recycling and reuse of our precious resources.

Schemes like this are a great opportunity for Victorians to help clean up our environment, whilst also supporting sports clubs and community groups to raise valuable funds through collection drive events and donations.

The Allan Labor Government is committed to dealing with waste which would otherwise end up in the environment.

We know that landfill is an ongoing issue, contributing to climate change and unstainable practises.

And so, we’re taking bold action to fix it.

CDS Vic alongside our new standardised four-bin system is set to assist us achieve our goal of diverting 80% of all materials away from landfill by 2030. This is extremely important if we want to see a cleaner future.

We envision a greener, more sustainable future that is community driven and empowered.

I’m proud to be part of a government which is working to protect and preserve local environments, whilst encouraging greater community participation and education around recycling.

We understand acting now to combat climate change is vital.

We are embracing our chance to build a more sustainable and thriving circular Victorian economy, through transforming our state’s waste and recycling sector.

The time is now to create a cleaner, greener future with less waste and pollution. We owe it to our younger generation and their futures.

Let’s keep up the fight and keep making change.