Unclaimed container deposit millions 'recycled'

Millions of dollars in unredeemed container deposits from the Northern Territory are flowing to the beverage industry.

The industry, which fought the introduction of the Territory's container deposit scheme, made more than $5 million from it in the first six months of operation.

A report shows only 18 million of 70 million approved containers were redeemed for deposit money over six months.

A report on the Territory's container deposit scheme shows that 70 million approved containers were sold from January to June.

Only 18 million of these containers were redeemed for deposit money.

That means at least $5.2 million in uncollected deposits went back to the beverage industry.

If handling fees are included, the figure could be almost $8 million.

A Senate Committee is currently conducting hearings about container deposit schemes.

It is looking at the effectiveness of schemes in South Australia and the Northern Territory ahead of a possible introduction of a national program.

Source: ABC News, 9 November 2012