The state government has selected a newly formed company owned by drink manufacturers Coca-Cola Amatil and Lion to run the state’s container deposit scheme.
The state government has selected a newly formed company owned by drink manufacturers Coca-Cola Amatil and Lion to run the state’s container deposit scheme.
WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd described itself as a not-for-profit entity established to deliver Western Australia's CDS scheme.
In a statement, the group said it was established by Coca-Cola Amatil and Lion in recognition of their shared responsibility (with other manufacturers and the community) for reducing waste generated by beverage packaging.
Lion’s WA brands include Swan Draught, Emu Export, Little Creatures and Masters dairy while Coca-Cola’s brands include Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Mount Franklin and Pump waters, Powerade and Perth-based Feral Brewing.
Environment minister Stephen Dawson said an open and competitive process was used to identify the preferred scheme co-ordinator.
“I’m encouraged that WA Return Recycle Renew is best placed to deliver a high performing scheme for our State,” the minister stated.
The scheme co-ordinator will manage payments from manufacturers and importers of eligible beverage products and will be responsible for establishing and implementing collection and logistics networks.
WA Return Recycle Renew interim chair Jeff Maguire said the opportunity to create a not-for-profit entity to administer the WA scheme was built on more than 40 years’ experience in similar programs in other states.
“The CDS scheme enables the community of Western Australia to participate in reducing litter and increasing recycling, and we are looking forward to establishing a customer and community-focused scheme across all regions and Perth,” he said.
One of the first tasks for WA Return Recycle Renew will be to run an application process to establish the collection network.
This will include refund points, transport and processing facilities, and support for social enterprises to participate.
The WA container deposit scheme will include donation points, enabling community organisations to benefit from the scheme.
The minister said the minimum network standards released today guarantee that Western Australians will have better access to refund points than any other State or Territory.
WA Return Recycle Renew will be overseen by a board, with the chair and community representative to be appointed by the end of the month, and remaining directors appointed shortly thereafter.
The minister said that unlike other Australian schemes, the co-ordinator will initially be appointed for seven years and must meet recycling targets to be considered for reappointment.
Beverage containers accounting for 44 per cent of the volume of litter in WA.
The Australian Beverages Council said the beverage industry currently manages CDS schemes in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
‘As in other states and territories, it is only the beverage industry that can deliver low-cost and efficient schemes for both manufacturers and consumers, in what are truly producer responsibility schemes,’ said Council chief executive Geoff Parker.
