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Australia: Northern Territory
The 2011 Campaign
Northern Territory's container deposit system and plastic bag ban was passed by Parliament on February 24th, making it the first container deposit law to be passed in 2011.
| Bill Number and Name | Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Bill 2010. Serial No.: 136  Bill text |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Mr HAMPTON |
| Beverages Covered | Flavored milks and fruit juices (less than 1L); Vitamin drinks, Soft drinks, Water – still and sparkling, Sport drinks, Iced teas, Beer / ales / stouts / cider, Alcoholic sodas, Spirit-based beverages, Some wine-based beverages (up to 3L) |
| Containers Covered | All approved containers of the size and contents listed above |
| Deposits | 10¢ |
| Handling Fees | Collection depots may be compensated for "reasonable costs" related to handling the containers by the CDS coordinator to whom they deliver the container. |
| Other Fees / Taxes | |
| Reclamation System | Approved Collection Depots |
| Unredeemed Deposits |
Details
Under this bill, no beverage container may be sold in the state unless it is approved.
A transcript of the sponsor's testimony upon introduction of the bill is available in the NT Parliamentary Record. Key points of Mr. Hampton's speech included:
- The bill would help Northern Territory achieve its goal of 50% reduction in landfilled waste by 2020.
- This bill will reduce beverage container and plastic bag litter (which is disproportionately high in the Territory compared to the whole of Australia) and increase resource recovery in the Northern Territory.
- The bill will provide fundrasising opportunities for schools and organizations.
- The bill requires the responsible minister to consult with manufacturers, retailers, and industry participants to develop principles for ensuring effective, efficient, and equitable waste management arrangements for the containers in the program.
- The containers covered are subject to review and expansion
- Retailers are not obligated to collect empty containers or provide refunds.
- The system will be modeled on the South Australia system and administered by the beverage industry
The proposed deposit system is known as Cash for Containers, and has enjoyed much popularity among the citizens of Northern Territory, prompting an industry campaign against the bill.
In addition to setting up a container deposit system, this bill would also ban single-use plastic bags.
The bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly on February 24. According to the Territory Government, the program will commence in late 2011.
Progress
November 25, 2010: Introduced to Parliament
February 24, 2011: Passed
Contacts
Cash for Containers
Phone: +61 8 8924 4141
Fax: +61 8 8924 4053
Email: cashforcontainers@nt.gov.au
Footnotes
Information used in this page came from the following sources:
1. Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport. "Container Deposit Scheme - Cash for Containers." Northern Territory Government Website. http://www.cashforcontainers.nt.gov.au/ Accessed February 19, 2011
2. Mr. Hampton (transcript). "Full Text Transcript - 11/25/2010: Section on ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND PLASTIC BAGS) BILL (Serial 136)." LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. http://notes.nt.gov.au/lant/hansard/hansard11.nsf/WebFullTextTranscript/ 84EBFB12D62C2F9C6925781E00019262?opendocument. November 25, 2010. Accessed February 19, 2011
