Recycling system needs structural change to resolve crisis

Australian Greens

The Greens welcome any steps taken to resolve Victoria’s waste and recycling crisis but caution the Government against using the same failed formula of just throwing money at the problem without taking responsibility for doing its part in the statewide reforms and industry investment needed.

Today as one of the first orders of business following the winter break, Samantha Ratnam will introduce the Greens bill for a Victorian Container Refund Scheme.

A Container Refund Scheme is the type of structural change that we need if we are going to solve Victoria’s waste and recycling crisis.

As stated by Greens Leader, Samantha Ratnam:

“We need structural change to address the waste and recycling crisis, simply pushing the problem on to Councils will not work.”

“Whilst a fourth bin to separate different types of recyclable materials is a good idea, we first need a statewide uniform bin system to ensure consistency.”

“If the Government is serious about cleaning up our recycling stream then it would get on with a Container Refund Scheme as soon as possible. We know that these schemes have been very successful across the country in reducing litter and cleaning up the recycling stream.”

Media Release – Greens call for more ambitious climate targets

The Victorian Greens welcome the news that the Government will introduce legislation to increase the Victorian Renewable Energy Target but urge the Government to be more ambitious.

As stated by Tim Read MP:

“Industry is already on track to get to the 50% renewable energy target by 2030 without further action by the Government.”

“If the Government wants to be more ambitious on climate action, they increase their investment in their signature policy, Solar Homes, so that it runs for more than 2 hours a month.”

“With industry leaders such as Alinta Energy acknowledging that within the next decade, coal-fired energy may no longer be a major part of our energy generation, it’s time for this Government to set truly ambitious targets and to plan for a future beyond coal.”

/Public Release. View in full here.