Calls to protect Cash for Containers Scheme

The independent Member for Nelson has denied the Northern Territory Government's Cash for Containers Scheme is failing.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council says the Northern Territory remains well under the national recycling rate and more than two-thirds of drink containers sold into the Territory have not been returned.

Gerry Wood says it's still early days.

"It's been operating for nine months and we've reached over half the national recycling targets," he said.

"In nine months, we've done pretty well I reckon."

It comes as the Government prepares to fight a legal challenge against the Scheme.

Coca Cola Amatil, Schweppes and Lion Nathan are set to challenge its legal validity in the Federal Court this week.

The Member for Nelson Gerry Wood says the Country Liberals should commit to fighting for it and fixing it.

"I think they should be certainly putting their foot down and saying 'well, big companies, beverage companies, you've got to pay a larger handling fee to the depots,'"

"That's been one of the major reasons some of our depots have folded."

Source: ABC News, 18 February 2013