You only have to talk a walk along any of the road entrances into Bendigo to see the litter in large quantities scarring our road reserves, many of which have beautiful vegetation and provide wonderful habitat for a wide range of animals and birds.

Growing up in the 1950s, we were able to collect containers and take them to the local milk bar to be rewarded with a refund. 

Many people finding it difficult to survive financially were also able to put food on their table by collecting containers. 

It’s time all state governments returned to this commonsense policy. Put a deposit on all containers. 

The City of Greater Bendigo strongly supports such a deposit system but it needs more than local councils to encourage our  state and federal politicians to introduce this policy. 

They are lobbied by vested interests who make a lot of money from producing such containers. 

I encourage your readers to register their concern about the build-up of litter on our road reserves, in creeks and rivers and around our parks and gardens by contacting politicians of all parties. 

To become more informed you could have a look at www.boomerangalliance.org.au 

I also encourage students of all ages to investigate the issue. After all, the millions of containers left on our roadsides will have far-reaching effects on your environment.

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