You are here10c deposit bill debate begins
10c deposit bill debate begins
Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has introduced a private member’s bill in Victorian Parliament for a 10c returnable deposit on drink bottles, cans and cartons.
“A 10 cent deposit turns litterers into recyclers”, said Colleen Hartland.
“It changes how they view the empty bottle in their hand. They are about to throw it out the car window, but they paid 10 cents for it. It is worth something, so it isn’t rubbish. This represents a radical change from how we view rubbish and recycling in Victoria. This Bill stops the rubbish before it hits the ground.”
“If this Bill is passed, we will increase drink container recycling from the current 49% to 83%. We will provide $15.2 million in annual savings to ratepayers. Every single municipality in Victoria will benefit financially. We will divert over 128,000 tonnes of materials away from landfill by recycling them.”
“We will decrease litter by 12-15%. We will reduce Victoria’s Greenhouse Gas emissions, reduce water use and improve air quality. We will create hundreds of new jobs.”
“It will create a $63.5 million fund that will meet all of the government’s costs in the scheme, with money left over to promote recycling. It will create new fundraising for community groups, sports groups and environment groups.”
“If the government supports a sound financial and socially responsible way to increase recycling, they should vote for my Bill”, said Colleen Hartland.
Click here to read Colleen's second reading speech.
Debate on the bill has been adjourned to 3 June 2009
