The Australian Greens have condemned Coca-Cola Amatil for proceeding with its legal attempt to frustrate the Northern Territory’s recently introduced ‘cash for containers scheme.’
The beverage company is suing the Government, essentially arguing they didn’t have the power to implement their cash for container reward schemes, with the case scheduled to commence tomorrow.
“Coke’s action against the Northern Territory Government is another shocking example of big business putting shareholder profits before the environment and our communities,” stated Senator Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens spokesperson for waste.
“Their continuing opposition to schemes that reward good behavior is ideological, rather than predicated on sound economic reasoning.
“Coke has continually attempted to undermine container deposit schemes, which has consistently been proven the most reliable and cost effective way to recycle the filthy trash that pollutes our landscapes and oceans.
“This spoiling action also puts at risk hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars of infrastructure investment in the Northern Territory, as well as being a deliberate attempt to warn off other states such as Tasmania who are considering similar schemes.
“It also threatens to undermine years of hard work to establish a national packaging reward scheme that underpins plans for holistic nation building infrastructure for recycling all types of waste, including e-waste.
“Cash for container schemes are rolling out all over the world, and Coke has seemingly opposed all of them.
“Australians care about doing their bit for the environment, and want a national cash for container reward scheme, it’s a no-brainer really.
“Today is a perfect opportunity to voice support for a solution to our beverage packaging pollution, and I call on all state and federal MP’s to stand up and be vocal on this issue.”
http://peter-whish-wilson.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/coke-needs-respect-northern-territory%E2%80%99s-cash-containers-scheme
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
