10¢ Can Change the WorldCampaign for a 10¢ returnable deposit on cans, bottles and cartons

Colleen Hartland MLC

Benefits of 10c depositsSummary

• Shifts the cost of waste away from local government and the community, towards people who create litter.

• Works well with existing council kerbside recycling systems.

• Creates recycling away from home.

& Vic!

Benefits of 10c depositsWhat containers would have a 10c refund?

• All drink containers in Victoria will be marked with a sign saying they are redeemable for a 10¢deposit in Victoria

• “All drink containers”means all disposable drink bottles, cans and cartons –including water, milk, juice, fizzy drinks, beer, wine and spirits.

& Vic!

(drink cups, food containers and bottles that are made for refilling are not included)

The Manufacturer / BottlerBottler pays Administrator (EPA) 10c levy per item

10c Deposit factored into the wholesale price

You and your drinkThe retailer sells drink as usual.

• There is no financial or administrative burden on retailers.

• You buy a drink as usual

You and your drinkYou can decide how to return your container

• Take it to a depot for a 10c refund

You and your drinkYou can decide how to return your container

• Give it to a community group or charity that collects empties.

You and your drinkYou can decide how to return your container

• Put it in the council kerbside recycling bin as usual

Reverse Vending MachinesMany depots in urban areas will be reverse vending

machines, in shopping centres and car parks.

• Put container in the machine, get 10c.

• Convenient, cheap, clean, small.

• Accurate auditable data using bar codes.

• Companies showing keen interest.

Reverse Vending MachinesHow will I use my refund?

• Choose a voucher for a nearby shop.• Choose which shop.

Reverse Vending MachinesHow will I use my refund?

• Choose to donate the 10c to a charity.• Choose which charity (including local groups).

Community groupsCreates new fundraising for community groups

• Scouts, sports clubs, “friends of” groups etc can collect empties as a fundraiser.

• “Clean Up” days, sporting events and festivals.

• Donations via Reverse Vending Machines.• Scouts in South Australia act in a similar way

to a “Depot” under this scheme and are paid a handling fee per container collected.

Scouts in South Australia earn $9 million from container deposits

Cafes, Restaurants, Offices50% of drink containers are used away from home

• Offices, cafes, restaurants, food courts and outdoor recreation areas rarely have recycling.

• Creates incentive for businesses to make new waste recovery arrangements.

This is the biggest potential increase in recycling, and the biggest benefit for councils with outdoor recreation and tourist areas.

Brimbank City CouncilBrimbank City Council could save up to $665,605

per year from the scheme

$664,605Total savings

$164,359Savings in gate fees at recyclers

$210,362Savings in landfill fees (gate fee + waste levy)

$87,294Additional income from paper sales

$886,393New income from 10c refunds-$682,803Lost commodity sales income

AmountItem

• In Brimbank, 4,674 tonnes of packaging material would be saved from landfill

Current recycling isn’t enough• Street recycling bins are

expensive for councils to maintain

• Not enough value from recycling

• People put rubbish in them• Councils and shires with lots of

public space and tourist areas bear a greater cost for public place recycling

More recycling, less landfill

Environment12-15% less litter

• Drink containers are 30% of all litter. • 10c deposits create -

• incentive for recycling rather than littering,

• incentive to pick up rubbish.• Container deposits will save councils

$6 million (on top of the savings outlined earlier)

• Litter is a hazard to people and wildlife.

Who would walk past a silver coin lying on the ground? Ian Kiernan, Chairman of Clean Up Australia (Sunday Age, 2 March 2008)

Environment

The HubsHubs would be large recycling centres, established

in regions across Victoria to receive recyclables in bulk.

• In industrial areas, and near regional centres.

• Owned and operated by local government, private operators or the community sector.

• Approx 60 in Victoria.

The HubsHubs act as collection depots for large scale

redeemers• Hubs gather the

empties from the bulk collectors:

• Depots• Reverse vending

machines

The HubsHubs act as collection depots for large scale

redeemers• Hubs gather the

empties from the bulk collectors:

• Large community collectors

The HubsHubs act as collection depots for large scale

redeemers• Hubs gather the

empties from the bulk collectors:

• Councils

The HubsHubs act as collection depots for large scale

redeemers• Hubs gather the

empties from the bulk collectors:

• Commercial and industrial (cafes, food courts, offices, etc)

The HubsHubs sell the recyclate to generate income.

The HubsHubs report to the EPA.

• Hubs gather information about recycling for the EPA.

• The EPA reports to government.

• Hubs process deposits and handling fees in their region.

• Gather data, audit the collectors & other admin functions.

• They can also be a depot for members of the public.

The HubsThe role of the Hubs may be expanded in future for

extended producer responsibility on other items

• E-waste (electrical and electronic appliances, TVs, computers etc).

• Compact fluorescent light bulbs.

• Mattresses and furniture.• Gas bottles.• We recommend such

expansion.

The HubsUnredeemed Deposit Fund

• 83% of containers are returned.

• $63.5 million in “unredeemed deposits”

• The scheme is entirely self-funding, from this source, and sale of recyclate.

What can I do?• Colleen needs YOU!

– Bring this presentation to your local council or community group

– Pass resolution in local councils and shires

– Volunteer for Colleen.– Fill out a post card!– Attend events.