Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has congratulated Moreland Council for passing a motion in support of a drink container deposit scheme.

"You know what they say about Moreland - if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.  Immediately after Moreland Council passed their motion, I heard that New York extended its drink container scheme." *

"I'm going to take that spirit with me to Parliament when we debate my container deposit legislation."

Cr Toby Archer's motion was that Council resolves to:

* Support the introduction a Container Deposit Scheme in Victoria, or throughout Australia. * Write to the State and Federal Environment Ministers to urge them to implement a Container Deposit Scheme, because of the financial, social and environmental benefits. * Actively promote the issue in the community.

He noted the benefits of the scheme to Moreland, including:

* Decrease landfill costs by 4647 tonnes; * Savings in council rubbish and recycling costs of up to $597,237 p.a; * Insulate Moreland City Council’s rubbish and recycling collection from fluctuations in the commodities market; * Increase recycling rates; * Reduce the volume of litter in our parks, beaches and roadsides by 12-15%; * Make a significant contribution to reducing Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 350,000 tonnes of CO2e per year (equivalent to over 50,000 Victorian homes switching to 100% renewable energy).

For comment: Colleen Hartland - 9689 6373

* For more information on the New York State announcement, see Ms Hartland's earlier media release at http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/

********************** Liz Ingham Office of Colleen Hartland MLC Western Metropolitan Region

A: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon 3011 P: 9689 6373 M: 0409 333 595 F: 9689 6227 E: elizabeth.ingham@parliament.vic.gov.au W: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au