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Environment groups band together in #trashyselfie campaign to call for a cash for containers scheme

Screen Shot 2014-02-25 at 9.55.16 AMGreenpeace Australia and Clean Up Australia Day are partnering in a social media campaign  calling for a ‘cash for containers’ recycling scheme across the whole of the country similar to the one already in place in South Australia.

The environmental organisations are asking Australians to take a #trashyselfie of themselves holding used drink containers as part of Sunday’s Clean Up Australia Day, tweeting the images at Victoria premier Denis Napthine and NSW premier Barry O’Farrell to show the public support for a scheme where recycling bottles and cans is rewarded with a 10 cent refund.

Greenpeace senior campaigner Reece Turner told Mumbrella the campaign coincides with the government process to determine whether the scheme is brought in nationally.

“All of the environment groups who’ve been working on this issue are looking to use this opportunity, so we’re inviting everyone who want to see cash for containers brought in around Australia to take a photo of themselves when they’re picking up some trash, a beverage container ideally, send it into us and we’re going to use it an advertising campaign and we’re encouraging people to share it on social media.”

Turner explained Greenpeace has pinpointed the two premiers as the two “key premiers who really hold the keys to making this policy happen in Australia”.

“Premier Napthine in Victoria has said repeatedly he’s in favour of the scheme. He lives right on the border with SA and he says himself that he sees the difference when he drives across the border and we want him to come good on his commitment and we want to give him some confidence to stand up to Coca-Cola and the other beverages who are clearly bullying the politicians.

“Given that the national process is broken down we think it’s high time for him in particular to bring it in in Victoria and for Barry O’Farrell to do the same thing in NSW.”

trashyselfieGreenpeace and Clean Up Australia Day are supported in the two-week push for a national cash for containers scheme with a number of organisations including Responsible Runners, Surfrider Foundation, Tangaroa Blue, Australian Seabird Rescue, Take 3, Boomerang Alliance and Two Hands project.

Turner said the campaign hopes to “amplify” what these groups are already doing which involves cleaning up areas including beaches and waterways to protect natural wildlife and to present a cleaner Australia.

“Our key message is that there are people out there cleaning up Australia everyday, and a big concerted effort to clean up Australia on Clean Up Australia Day, if we brought in this policy we could make a huge difference and these premiers could leave a legacy of a much cleaner Australia,” he said.

“We hope it will engage people. Beverage containers are the number one item littered.”

Miranda Ward

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