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Published: 12 June 2012
NBN pilot rollout – that’s bins, not broadband!
Two state Keep Australia Beautiful organisations and a group of Victorian councils have launched three beverage container recycling and litter reduction pilot programs, thanks to an industry investment of $660 000 from the National Bin Network (NBN).
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Launching the Northern Territory pilot: Banambi Wunungmurra from KABC (NT) (right), Bob Beadman from the NT Grants Commission, and Serena Barton with the new ‘Clean Up Book’. Credit:
NBN
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The NBN is a $100 million, 5-year industry-funded plan to increase recycling and reduce litter nationally. It is a collaboration between the beverage industry, packaging suppliers, government, business and the community.
According to its members, the NBN provides an effective and efficient alternative to a container deposit scheme, although it aims to address all litter and packaging recycling, not just beverage containers.
Under the pilot, Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) in Tasmania and the Northern Territory and the NevRwaste (North East Victorian Regional Waste) management group of councils in North East Victoria will deliver litter reduction and recycling programs by working with local communities to identify and clean up litter hot spots.
The program will include partnerships with local government and private property owners to install new recycling bins in retail shopping areas, pubs and clubs, sporting facilities, entertainment venues and transport hubs.
‘Everyone deserves a clean environment, and a container deposit scheme doesn’t address all types of litter or instill long term positive behaviour change,’ says Don Chambers, Chair of Keep Australia Beautiful Council.
‘We believe in positively engaging the community and working with industry to generate real environmental outcomes.
‘We’re supporting these pilots because they are efficient and collaborative and have the foundation to deliver strong environmental and behavioural outcomes without the negatives of heavy-handed regulation.
‘The pilots have been well-received by the communities in which they were launched, and we look forward to seeing great results from the programs over the next 12 -18 months.’
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Standing Council on Environment and Water is evaluating the NBN and a range of other measures, including container deposit systems, as part of a national review of packaging waste policy to cover all packaging materials in the recycling and litter streams.
The pilot programs are supported by interim funding through the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Packaging Stewardship Forum.
The NT pilot includes the towns of Galiwinku, Milingimbi, Gapuwiyak, Ramingining, Angurugu, Yirrkala and Umbakumba. Under the pilot, KABC (NT) will roll out the new ‘Clean Up Book’ and other resources to help local communities clean up, recycle and keep their communities clean.
Source: NBN
