Cricketing hero Ian Healy will lend his weight to another determined Queensland fightback today when he helps local liquor group 'The Fridge' launch an Australian-first recycling initiative.
The group has introduced convenient drop-off bins at all of its 80 stores across Brisbane, to which consumers are being encouraged to return three main forms of plastic packaging - shopping bags, the plastic 'honeycomb' carriers that are used for six-packs of cans and the plastic shrink wrap used around bottled six-packs - all of which will then be recycled.
The program is a joint initiative of The Fridge group (part of Carlton & United Breweries' Australian Leisure & Hospitality arm), recycling specialists Visy Recycling and packaging suppliers Hi Cone.
The new initiative will help reduce plastic litter and the amount sent to landfill. An estimated 4000 plastic shopping bags are thrown away, most after a single use, each minute in Australia.
Queensland Environment Minister Dean Wells welcomed the initiative as another example of cooperation under the National Packaging Covenant.
"We all have to work together - government, suppliers, retailers and consumers to recycle. This is a great example of what happens when we work together."
The Fridge launch coincides with Clean Up Australia's Bag Yourself a Better Environment week of action, which involves more than 1000 retailers nationally and aims to create awareness of the impacts of plastic bags on the environment.
Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan said by reducing the amount of plastic bags used and increasing recycling, Australians could improve the health of the natural environment and use resources in a more sustainable way.
Ian Healy said the recycling program was tremendous because it gave Queensland another edge in keeping the state clean and beautiful.
"People come from all over the country and all over the world to enjoy our beaches, our coast, our waterways and our rainforests and bushland. With programs like this we can all help reduce pollution," Healy said.
ITW Hi-Cone welcomed the opportunity to work with The Fridge and Visy Recycling on this new initiative, General Manager, Scott Thoennissen said. The company has made can carriers for more than 30 years, he said.
"Honeycomb can carriers are the most effective multi-pack for cans. They use far fewer resources than other materials and the new recycling program will improve their environmental performance."
Visy Recycling Chairman Raphael Geminder said extending the range and opportunities for recycling provided wins for the community and the environment.
"Our aim is to make recycling easy," Mr Geminder said.
Further information:
Liz Jarvis
Tel: +61 3 9633 2259
Mob: 0418 651 374
Email: liz.jarvis@fostersgroup.com
David Argus
Manager, Media Relations & Public Affairs
Carlton & United Breweries
Tel: +61 7 3212 0268
Mob: 0418 523 343
Email: dave.argus@fostersgroup.com
Brenda Walker
Mob: 0413 943 012
