Industry group accused of recycling scare campaign

Environment groups have accused the food and beverages industry of running a scare campaign against a national drink container deposit scheme.

State and federal governments are considering proposals for a 10 cent refund for empty drink containers returned for recycling.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council will today launch a campaign against the scheme, claiming it would push up the price of drinks.

The council's Jenny Pickles says the cost of supporting infrastructure would be passed on to consumers.

"Establishing a national container deposit scheme means we have to put in whole new infrastructure around the country so that people can actually travel somewhere, redeem their deposit, and to make it as convenient as possible for them," she said.

"But the reality is it will never be as convenient for them as their kerbside recycling at home."

Clean Up Australia's Ian Kiernan says the industry body is trying to frighten consumers.

He said the costs of the scheme would be minimal.

"They're just playing the fear card," Mr Kiernan said.

"Our calculations, or that calculations that we have access to, show that it would increase the cost of the beverage container by one-tenth of a cent.

"And that's a very reasonable cost when that cost should be borne by industry."

Recovery rates for beverage containers in South Australia - where a scheme is in place - are well in excess of 85 per cent.

In other states the recovery rate is less than 35 per cent.

Source: ABC News, 17 June 2012