EPA Urges Support for Cash for Containers

9 December 2011

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) today commended the Minister for Environment for establishing the Cash for Containers scheme in the Northern Territory set to commence on 3 January next year.

EPA Chair, Professor Grahame Webb said, 'The scheme is a positive step towards establishing a culture of reducing waste.

'In a world where society is increasingly encouraged to consume at all costs, Cash for Containers makes a powerful statement.

'I have observed enormous reductions in the degree of littering in the Territory over the last 30 years, but there is no room for complacency.

'I urge the community to get behind the Cash for Containers initiative to decrease rubbish going into landfills, and reduce littering even further.

'Government has created a framework and it's now up to the community to make the most of this scheme,' said Professor Webb.

Cash for Containers will offer an opportunity for community, sporting and school groups to raise money, as well as encourage manufacturers to use recyclable containers.

With the combined support of the community, industry and business, Cash for Containers in the Territory can be as successful as the scheme implemented in South Australia where recycling levels for containers have reached 80 per cent.

Media contact: Emmanuelle Clarke 0407 974 844