With hindsight, the waste disposal problems we now face can be partly blamed on beverage and container manufacturers who, during the 70s, forced a shift from refillable to disposable containers. Rather than 'refillables' we now have mountains of garbage, highlighting the need to return to more traditional methods of minimising our waste.

The introduction of Container Deposit Legislation would help to reverse many of the undesirable trends begun in the 70s, propagated during the 80s, and now causing major problems in the 90s. The 'sickness' in our environment, the economy, the job market and in society generally can be treated - perhaps even cured! A return to the use of refillable containers in NSW will certainly help.

To this end the introduction of CDL in NSW would:

• achieve return rates of between 84 and 97% for deposit-bearing containers (chapters 3 & 5).

• create at least 3000 jobs (chapters 4 & 6).

• lead to a reduction in total solid waste of between 4 and 6% (chapter 5).

• reduce beverage container industry energy consumption by around 40% and total NSW energy consumption by around 0.2% (chapter 5).

• more than halve the air and water pollution caused by containers (chapter 5).

• reduce our dependence on landfills and incinerators for disposal (chapter 5).

• reduce beverage container litter by 70 to 90% and total litter by up to 50% (chapter 5).

• reduce our unsustainable level of resource consumption (chapter 5).

• reduce the cost of drinks by up to 40% (chapter 6).

• prevent increased litter clean-up and waste disposal charges being borne by the community (chapter 6).

• remove the need for local and state governments to subsidise voluntary container collection schemes (chapter 6).

• save the almost extinct refillable glass milk bottle which delivers milk to consumers almost 6c per litre cheaper than the alternative containers (chapter 6).

• improve our balance of trade by reducing raw material imports (chapter 6).

• empower individuals, recognising them as an important link in the waste reduction process (chapter 7).

• provide a greater level of social interaction (chapter 7).

• heighten the environmental awareness of consumers, thus influencing other purchasing decisions in their lives (chapter 7).

• allow 'kerbside' to focus its attention on the collection of paper and compostable material (Appendix II).

• have a dramatic effect on the amount of plastic in the waste stream. Plastic currently consumes around 26% of domestic landfill space (Appendix III).

Despite the overwhelming case in favour of CDL, financially powerful beverage and container interests throw millions of dollars a year into lobbying and propaganda campaigns to ensure its non-introduction. Preferring to appease industry rather than protect jobs, consumers and the environment, state and federal governments have done little to challenge these industries and ensure the availability of refillable containers.

More recently, local government in NSW has been handed responsibility for solving the state's waste crisis. With a long history of support for CDL, local government now has the opportunity to throw its weight behind this effective and responsible waste reduction initiative. As a result 1993 may be the year we finally get Container Deposit Legislation for New South Wales and start bringing back returnables.

The following schematic diagram illustrates how CDL would work in NSW.