The Tasmanian Greens today warned Coca-Cola Amatil of a backlash from its Tasmanian customers, if it tries to pursue legal action to overturn any future Tasmanian container deposit scheme.
Greens Acting Leader Tim Morris MP said Coca Cola Amatil’s attempt to kill off the Northern Territory’s container deposit scheme was an unethical attack on a democracy, and an attempt to intimidate states like Tasmania into not pushing ahead with state-based schemes.
“If Coca-Cola Amatil has any plans to bring those kinds of tactics down here then they can expect a big consumer backlash, because Tasmanians will not tolerate that kind of corporate bullying,” Mr Morris said.
“The Tasmanian Parliament has given tripartisan support to a study into the feasibility of a state based container deposit scheme and public polling shows overwhelming support for the reform.”
“We will not allow Coke to try to bully us out of investing public money into a scheme that will provide jobs, infrastructure and an excellent solution to a significant environmental problem.”
“Despite the Minister Brian Wightman dragging his feet on implementing a local container deposit scheme, the Greens will continue to push for this inevitable reform until we see a result.”
“In a country like Australia that values democracy and the environment, this could be a public relations nightmare for Coke and its associated brands and endorsements.”
“Container deposit schemes have been proven worldwide to be the best way to increase recycling rates including South Australia, which has been doing it for 30 years and has a recycle rate of 80%.”
Tim Morris MP Acting Greens Leader Tuesday, February 19, 2013
