Supplier fined over container deposit laws breach in SA

A former beverage supplier has been fined $5,400 by the Environment Resources and Development Court for contravening South Australia's container deposit laws.

Detlef Friedrichs pleaded guilty to 11 counts of breaching the Environment Protection Act by supplying three businesses with more than 25,000 beverage containers which were not authorised for sale.

The court heard Mr Friedrichs previously had a waste-management agreement which ended in 2009 but he decided to use up his leftover containers.

Judge Susanne Cole said the breaches were deliberate.

She said the fine would have been $20,000 but for Mr Friedrichs's poor health and financial situation.

In a statement, the Environment Protection Authority said the case was a reminder the authority was serious about pursuing breaches of container laws.

South Australia has required a range of drinks to include a deposit in their price since 1977 as a way to encourage recycling and litter reduction.

Source: ABC News, 14 June 2013