Geelong council urged to support cash for containers

GEELONG Sustainability has called on the City of Greater Geelong to show its support for a state-wide Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

President Vicki Perrett said she asked Mayor Bruce Harwood at a council meeting last week to write to Minister for the Environment, Lily D’Ambrosia, stating that (subject to reasonable conditions) the City supported the introduction of the scheme.

“The natural beauty of the Bellarine requires our protection and stewardship,” Ms Perrett said.

“While many people are actively involved in caring for our bays, litter remains an ongoing problem which intensifies over the summer period.”

Ms Perrett said her question to council related to single-use drink containers and the urgent need for a state-wide CDS.

“Research shows that 84 per cent of Victorians are in favour of a scheme. CDS reduce drink container litter, increase recycling rates and complement kerbside recycling services.”

Ms Perrett said every other mainland states already had a CDS or were in the process of implementing one.

“Effective environmental management is a strategic priority in the Council Plan 2018-22 and it’s embedded in our vision for a clever and creative city-region.

“A CDS would increase recycling rates, improve resource separation and generate local jobs.”

Also at the meeting, Geelong Sustainability congratulated the council on its proposed Plastic Wise Program to be implemented this year.

“The Queenscliff Music Festival and Night Jar Markets has demonstrated it’s possible to organise almost zero waste events with over 90 per cent diversion from landfill,” Ms Perrett said.