The Victorian Greens fear that yet another fire, this time at SKM overnight, will make the State’s recycling system even more vulnerable after its near collapse earlier this year.
This is a result of the Victorian Labor Government’s years of policy paralysis around recycling and waste, and it’s leading to uncertainty around whether our system can withstand more and more shocks.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC, has called on Dan Andrews and the Victorian Labor Government to develop a sustainable, local recycling industry and to establish a Container Deposit Scheme in a bid to tackle the state’s waste crisis.
We know what we need to do, yet the Government refuses to provide the type of investment and industry support that is needed urgently.
For example, a container Deposit Scheme would clean up the recycling scheme, reducing the need for stockpiling and is something that could be introduced very soon.
As stated by leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“The Victorian Labor Government cannot simply sit idly by and watch as our waste goes up in flames. The state’s recycling industry is literally a bin fire.
“How many more recycling plants will need to be shut down and how many more fires will need to erupt for the Victorian Labor Government to take our waste crisis seriously?
“Victoria’s in this mess thanks to years of policy paralysis by the Victorian Labor Government.
“We need investment in a local jobs-creating recycling industry to reduce our dangerous levels of stockpiling and to protect our communities from these toxic fires.
“We need a Container Deposit Scheme. They are a huge part of the puzzle in fixing our waste crisis, and yet Victoria is the only state or territory without one. They are blocking a national scheme.
“The Government has finally released a draft waste policy yesterday after six years of absolutely nothing. We hope that the final policy make a serious commitment to a zero waste future.”
