While voluntary container collection schemes provide little incentive to those unaware or sceptical of the benefits of re-use and recycling, CDL encourages participation by offering a refundable deposit. Experience has shown this financial inducement is quickly enhanced by changing consumer values as they appreciate the importance of their involvement.

This is borne out by studies which indicate overwhelming community endorsement for CDL. In South Australia for example, where CDL receives bipartisan political support, it is reported [8, p.7] that:

• 72% of people view the Beverage Container Act as effective in reducing litter;
• 65% want the government to do more to stop non-reusable bottles;
• 77% consider returnables superior to convenience packaging.

With such support it is not surprising to learn that any move to revoke CDL is met with strong opposition. The Keep South Australia Beautiful Council for example believes "the South Australian public would react violently to the State Government removing its ... deposit legislation" [23,p.13].

The following important but often over-looked reasons for CDL may help to explain the existence of such strong sentiment in support of CDL from the general community:

• By giving consumers the right to return containers, CDL empowers individuals. This allows them to feel an important part of the waste solution and perhaps encourages them to participate in other socially-beneficial activities.

• The act of returning containers for re-use (rather than simply recycling or disposing of them) provides a greater level of social interaction than we currently enjoy. The fact that all parts of the community share responsibility for the safe use and return of refillable containers broadens the scope of this interaction.

• By encouraging consumers to differentiate between products and packaging designed for re-use, recycling and disposal, CDL also performs a valuable educative role. As consumers learn more about the relative impact of these items their heightened environmental awareness will influence their other purchasing decisions.

As a result of all the environmental, employment, economic and social benefits, the introduction of CDL will improve our quality of life.