Non-Alcoholic Beverages Leading Recycling Charge

While a recent report finds that plastics recycling is lagging behind the National Packaging Targets, containers that are processed through Australia’s Container Deposit Schemes – CDS – are processed at a significantly higher rate. The ABCL believes that it is time to expand the scope to include other FMCG categories to achieve recycling targets and support domestic manufacturing opportunities. 

Australian Beverages Council Ltd. CEO Geoff Parker says a focus on the low general recycling rate ignores the successes of Australia’s Container Deposit Schemes (CDS) at both reclaiming reusable materials and keeping them out of the landfill. “CDS schemes have a rate of plastics recycling that is well above 60%,” says Parker. “They are a successful example of producer responsibility – and a case study for how government can balance incentives and regulations to meet complex policy challenges.” 

Container Deposit Schemes use a financial incentive to encourage consumers to return their drink containers to a depot in order to recycle them more efficiently and effectively. In states where they operate, CDS makes up around 80% of all plastic returned for recycling – compared to just 20% that comes through kerbside bins.  

Nearly half of the PET that is used in packaging materials is not eligible for CDS collection. This includes everything from milk bottles to food trays. “If we want to make meaningful progress on APCO’s 70% recycling targets, we need to become more rigorous with the collection of the nearly 60,000 tonnes of PET that is used in the Australian market and not eligible for recycling through CDS,” says Parker. 

“These containers are an untapped source of high-quality materials that could be collected, recycled and remade – just as beverage containers are,” says Parker. “By making more food-grade materials available for recycling through CDS, we will be able to keep more material in the system to create new products. This means more jobs domestically and more materials available to manufacturers.  

“This is a win for consumers, businesses and the environment,” says Parker. 

ABOUT 

The Australian Beverages Council Ltd (ABCL) is the peak body representing the non-alcoholic beverage industry. Our Membership comprises small, medium-sized and large companies. Collectively these companies produce over 95% of the industry’s volume. Our members make a substantial $7+ billion contribution to the Australian economy each year, and nationally employ over 46,000 people. Every one job in the industry supports 4.9 jobs in the supply chain. 

ABCL Media Release – Non-Alcoholic Beverages Leading Recycling Charge