State Government pushes for container deposit scheme

PIC: Supplied

Member for Mandurah David Templeman and the McGowan Government have reaffirmed their commitment to a plastic free Western Australia.

West Australian's might soon have the opportunity to cash in their empty cans and bottles under the proposed container deposit scheme. 

With Plastic Free July underway, Mandurah MLA David Templeman has taken the opportunity to reaffirm the McGowan Government’s commitment to introducing a container deposit scheme in Western Australia.

When the scheme commences, people will be offered a 10 cent refund for the return of each eligible bottle and can to one of the hundreds of refund points across WA.

Previous consultation indicated strong support for a deposit scheme, with 97 per cent of the 3,236 people who surveyed saying they supported the scheme.

Mr Templeman said there were many benefits to introducing the scheme to Western Australia, including reducing litter, protecting fauna from harmful effects of plastic in the environment and increasing recycling rates. 

"The McGowan Government is serious about reducing the use of plastics in WA, which is why we banned the bag in July and we’re working towards a container deposit scheme," he said.

There are plans to implement the scheme in early 2020.

The scheme is likely to boost employment with as many as 500 jobs created at new container sorting and processing facilities, and refund points across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

“People in Mandurah and around WA have told us that they want a container deposit scheme, so we’ll be introducing one in 2020," Mr Templeman said, 

"I encourage local businesses, organisations and households across Mandurah to take up the Plastic Free July challenge and find out how they can reduce their plastic use.”

The banning of lightweight plastic bags earlier in July and the introduction of a container deposit scheme are part of the Government's strong commitment to the reduction of plastic use across WA.


 

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