Things don't always go better with Coke

There is controversy in the Northern Territory at the moment in regards to measures to combat their mounting litter problem. Coca-Cola Amatil are objecting and threatening legal action to a 10c container recycling refund.

A South Australian Refund Recycling Depot

The opposition to this idea seems a bit dubious given Coca-Cola Amatil's own Purchasing Policy, "Coca-Cola Amatil is committed to understanding and minimising any adverse environmental impacts of our beverage manufacturing activities" and especially, " Work with others in industry and the community to ensure our consumers have access to convenient collection systems for the recovery of used beverage
containers for recycling."

Coca-Cola Amatil Purchasing Policy

So what is the problem? Given the recent Wet n' Wild recycling initiative where the company is donating 5c per container recycled at that venue it seems ludicrous that they could object to monetary rewards as an incentive to increase recycling compliance. Given that South Australia already has a similar scheme and has doubled the recycling rate of the rest of the country, it appears to work too. Then there is 'Live Positively' the very cool, hip propaganda website for CCA where it further espouses the companies wish to pursue inspiring ways to encourage recycling.

Live Positively

The problem of course is not money but the 'Mutual Recognition Act 1992'. The CCA spokesman refers to Section 9:  


Entitlement to sell goods

                 
The mutual recognition principle is that, subject to this Part, goods produced in or imported into the first State, that may lawfully be sold in that State either generally or in particular circumstances, may, because of this Act, be sold in the second State either generally or in particular circumstances (as the case may be), without the necessity for compliance with further requirements as described in section 10.

However Section 11 then states:

Requirements that do need to be complied with

(4) The third exception is that the principle does not affect the operation of any laws of the second State regarding the inspection of goods within the State, so long as:

                     (a)  inspection or the requirement for inspection is not a prerequisite to the sale of the goods in the second State; and

                     (b)  those laws apply equally to goods produced in or imported into the second State; and

                     (c)  those laws are directed at matters affecting the health and safety of persons in the second State or at preventing, minimising or regulating environmental pollution (including air, water, noise or soil pollution) in the second State.

But lo and behold there is support out there for CCA through the Responsible Recycling website who call for the Northern Territory Government to, "... suspend the debate on the current Bill until all options have been investigated." And who are the stakeholders here? Australian Food & Grocery Council, Australian Hotels Association NT, Liquor Stores Association NT and the Chamber of Commerce NT.

Coca-Cola Amatil's recycling policy and campaigns are looking like a bit of a sham and this has obviously given a lot of momentum to the call to boycott their products. As Jimmy Cocking from the The Arid Lands Environment Centre's said, "We want them to just suck it up", otherwise no-one else will.

Coca-Cola Amatil Product List

4/10/11 And they have!