Wednesday, 1 November 2023

Container deposit scheme

Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:09): (563) I rise this evening on adjournment to raise a matter for the Minister for Environment, and the action that I am seeking is for the minister to update the house on the progress of the implementation of Victoria’s first container deposit scheme. This is great news for Victorians and great news for the environment, with the Victorian container deposit scheme starting today. This scheme will incentivise consumers to return their cans and bottles to be recycled by being paid 10 cents for each container returned.

Members interjecting.

Michael GALEA: Obviously this has fired up those opposite. Apparently they do not like recycling, which is a shame, but those of us on this side of the house do like recycling, and this is a really big step forward – great to see. I remember as a kid every time you looked at a bottle you would see ‘5 cents if you return this in South Australia’. How wonderful it is that today we are launching this new scheme in Victoria. There are a lot of people in my community who have spoken to me who have been campaigning for this for a very long time, and it is wonderful to see it starting today.

The benefits from the introduction of this scheme are numerous: more and better recycling; less waste; old containers becoming new ones; less litter expected – in fact it is expected to be cut by up to half; hundreds of new jobs and economic opportunities across Victoria; and a cleaner, greener state. Those opposite just do not get it. They do not think that anyone would be interested in recycling, but I can tell you that there are many, many interested people in my community and across Victoria who have been very excited to see this come forward. Many local environmental groups have spoken to me about the issue, and it is going to be great to see this coming forward.

A member interjected.

Michael GALEA: As many as, I am sure, have spoken to spoken to Ann-Marie Hermans about WorkCover, to be honest with you – Mrs Hermans, I apologise. In fact I suspect probably more people than have spoken to Mrs Hermans about WorkCover have spoken to me. There are some fantastic groups in my electorate.

Victoria will have 600 collection points where people can deposit their used cans and bottles and receive 10 cents per unit. The container will then be repurposed into new products instead of adding to further landfill and polluting the ground. In addition, charities will benefit from either being a possible recipient of funds received from a container deposit or setting up their collection drive. For example, a local food charity might establish a collection bin and people can deposit their containers directly with them for the charity to deposit to one of those 600 collection points. This would then be paid as 10 cents for each eligible container and then those funds go back into their operations to support their community. This scheme will be transformational in terms of litter removal and recycling but with the added benefit of wider community impact and environment improvement as well as increased economic activity.

I do acknowledge the work of this government, in particular the former Minister for Environment, who sits below me here today, who was instrumental in bringing this scheme forward. The action that I seek is an update on the progress of the implementation.