The Western Australia Local Government Association (WALGA) has called for the State Government to introduce a Cash for Containers scheme to combat the high rates of litter in the state.

 

The calls form after the 2012 Keep Australian Beautiful National Litter Index identified WA as having the highest volume of litter in the nation.

 

WALGA claims the introduction of a Cash for Containers scheme would save the state an estimated $20 million in litter clean up costs per year.

 

“If you compare the Index’s ‘Dirty Dozen’, or top 12 littered items for WA and SA, you’ll see that materials covered by South Australia’s Container Deposit Legislation are not featured in their top twelve,” Mayor Pickard said.

 

“Whereas in WA, five of the top 12 littered items are beverage containers.”

 

Mayor Pickard said although a national process was currently being considered, it was not supported by all states and is therefore unlikely to succeed. 

 

“We are calling on the WA Environment Minster to introduce a Cash for Containers scheme for Western Australia, using his existing powers under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007,” he said.

 

“While increased fines to reduce litter are an important part of the solution, it is also vital to provide incentives for people to do the right thing.

 

“A Cash for Containers scheme, like they have in South Australia, provides a strong incentive to recycle containers – and if they are thrown away, the 10 cent deposit rewards others who gather and recycle them”.