Boomerang calls for Vic CDS improvements

Boomerang Alliance is calling on the next Victorian Government to take the next steps to improve Victoria's Container Refund Scheme (CDS) and take effective action on plastic packaging and pollution.

“The CDS and bans on some problem plastics have made a difference, but there is more to do if we are to make inroads into burgeoning plastic pollution and waste,” said Jeff Angel, director of the Alliance.

“According to the latest Clean Up Australia reports for Victoria items such as soft plastics and non-food packaging now account for over 60 per cent of litter today. These are being dumped into the environment and breaking up into dangerous microplastics. The recycling rate is pitiful.

“The next Government should have an ambitious agenda for more action. Container returns are still lower than other states and will decline as the 10c refund loses value and without new packaging laws, the plastic recycling sector faces collapse with dire implications for collection systems and jobs.”

Boomerang Alliance is urging the next Government to introduce these five key measures in the next term of Parliament:

• Increase the container refund to 20 cents to provide the incentive for the community to continue and grow return of drink containers.
• Improve the scope of the CDS by adding wine/spirit bottles, milk and juice containers and require all tops to be tethered to their bottles.
• Require all major stadiums and events to provide reusable cups and containers to patrons.
• Continue to phase out problem single-use plastics such as plastic produce bags and soy fish, and introduce standards for reusable shopping bags.
• Support a national scheme for packaging to make producers responsible for their products, and fast-track a national collection of soft plastics.

Other issues are avoiding more waste to energy plants or expansion of existing ones and no separate purple bin for glass.

“In the lead up to the election, we will be progressively releasing major party responses to these common-sense measures that can put Victoria on track to be a cleaner, more-litter free state with more business investment and jobs growth,” Angel concluded.