Western Australians have backed the WA Government’s new container deposit scheme with more than 3,000 people across the State responding to its recent public consultation.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson revealed that 97 per cent of survey respondents supported the scheme citing protecting the environment and reducing litter as the most important benefits – followed by an increase in recycling.
The feedback will help shape the scheme which will offer people a 10 cent refund when they return eligible bottles and cans to refund points across the State.
Comments from the beverage and retail industries highlighted the importance of having time to plan for and implement the changes, and recommended that the scheme commence outside of the December and January peak retail season.
Responding to feedback from industry, the Government has determined that the scheme will begin in mid-2019.
As well as diverting waste from landfill, the scheme is likely to boost employment with as many as 500 jobs created at new container sorting and processing facilities, and refund points across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
WA’s container deposit scheme is just part of the Government’s strong commitment to waste reduction – which includes a ban on lightweight single-use plastic bags and a review of the State’s waste strategy.