PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED TO MARKET IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

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INFORMATION FOR MANUFACTURERS WISHING TO MARKET CONTAINERS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Environment Protection Authority has advised that the following procedures must be observed before containers/beverges covered by the Beverage Container provisions of the Act can be marketed in South Australia. Non-compliance may result in undesirable delays in the processing of applications, prohibiton of container sales or the re-printing of labels. You are urged to contact the Environment Protection Agency if you require further information relating to any matter in this document.

Additionally, it should be noted that certain requirements change from time to time and although the information was current at the time of supply, minor variations may occur and it would be in your interest to check prior to submitting applications to market or before having labels printed.

Return Mechanisms

1. (a) If you intend to use the existing ‘Collection Depot’ system as the return mechanism for your containers, then you should enter into a contractual arrangement with one of the recognised Recovery Agencies (refer to attached list). This will ensure that a state wide collection system is in place for the payment of refunds to consumers and aggregation of the containers for recycling or re-use.

or

(b) If you intend to use ‘Points of Sale’ as the return mechanism for your containers then you should ensure that retailers are aware of their obligation under the Act to refund deposits on returned containers irrespective of place of purchase. Further, it is a condition of approval that empty containers are retrieved from retail outlets and returned to a recycling agent for recycling.

2. In support of applications (which must be returned to the Environment Protection Authority) the following documentation is also required,

(a) If you have selected 1 (a) as the return mechanism, written advice from your nominated Recovery Agency that a satisfactory collection system is in place for the containers

(b) Irrespective of the return mechanism you should submit to the authority a sample of the container which you intend to market, suitably embossed with the appropriate refund statement. Alternatively, a suitable facsimile or other reproduction of the proposed label which clearly shows the deposit statement and how it will appear on the container.

Artwork for Deposit Inscription Appearing on Containers

The following should be carefully adhered to;

• the size of the numeric (ie, ‘5’ or ‘10’) must be no smaller than 3mm

• the wording in the statement which describes the refund mechanism may be stepped down to a print size of not less than 1.5 mm (ie., the height from the baseline of the smallest letter in the statement).

Note:

The size requirement for the use of a second body label to carry the deposit inscription on containers is presently under review. In the interim, it would be advisable to discuss this matter with the Authority prior to the production of any labels.

With regard to cans (returnable to Container Collection Depots), it is usual for the deposit labelling statement to appear on the lid of the container. The size of the print for the deposit statement on such cans must be 8 point minimum and may simply read, ‘5 cent deposit in SA or (South Australia - Sth Aust)’.

Whilst it is preferred that this statement be on the lid, applications for approval with this statement shown elsewhere will be considered. This approval will be subject to advice from a recognised collection agency that a financial agreement has been made for them to arrange the collection of these containers from depots on your behalf.

You are further advised that the Environment Protection Agency may request the removal of containers from the retail trade (or prohibit further sales) where such containers are placed on the market and do not comply with the above requirements and/or have not previously been referred for the Minister's approval.

It is recommended that embossed samples or proposals for artwork be submitted to the EPA for appraisal and advice before the commencement of any printing or production. It is preferable that an authentic label be provided.

Attached for your assistance are samples of preferred deposit labelling statements.

Copies of the Environment Protection Act & Regulations may be obtained from the State Information Centre, Ground Floor, 77 Grenfell St, Adelaide. Telephone - 8204 1900

 

RECOVERY CO-ORDINATORS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

	Telephone	Facsimile
Tim Alver Flagcan Distributors Pty Ltd C/- Gibson & Partners 246 Brighton Rd SOMERTON PARK SA 5044	08 8376 0555	08 8376 0559
Statewide Recycling Manager, Edward Nixon PO Box 166 KILKENNY SA 5009	08 8341 2511	08 8341 2494
Marine Stores Pty Ltd Manager, Gary Bull Cawthorne Street THEBARTON SA 5031	08 8443 9737	08 8443 9739
Visy Recycling Manager, Rob Nicholson 2 Matson Court GILLMAN 5013	08 8241 0711	08 8241 0640

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PREFERRED REFUND MARKINGS TO BE DISPLAYED ON LABELS/CONTAINERS

Glass And Plastic Containers Refundable At ‘Collection Depots’ ‘5¢ Refund at Collection Depots when sold in SA’

Cans Refundable At ‘Collection Depots’ If embossed on lid on can - ‘5¢ Deposit in SA’ If by way of label affixed to can - ‘5¢ Refund at Collection Depots when sold in SA’

All Containers For Which Refund Is At ‘Points Of Sale’ If by way of label affixed to can or other container - ‘10¢ Refund at Points of Sale in SA’ or ‘10¢ Deposit Refund at Points of Sale in SA’

 

LIST OF BEVERAGES COVERED BY THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT

The following chart should be used only as a guide to assist you in determining which beverages and containers are covered by the Beverage Containers provisions of the Environment Protection Act (CDL). If in doubt, please contact the CDL Unit at the EPA.

Beverage	Container Type	Size
Carbonated soft (non-alcoholic) drinks	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Water  - plain, still or carbonated—spring water, mineral water and any other water intended for human consumption	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Beers/ales/stout	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Wine based beverages - any beverage that contains wine with an alcohol per volume percentage of less than 10%.  This can include (but is not limited to): low alcohol wine non-alcoholic or de-alcoholised wine fruit flavoured wine wine coolers ready to drink "alcoholic sodas"	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Spirit based beverages - any beverage that contains any spirit with an alcohol per volume percentage of less than 10%	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Alcoholic beverages—derived from the fermentation of fruit (cider, alcoholic lemonade etc.)	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Non-carbonated, soft (non-alcoholic) drinks includes: (but is not limited to): fruit juice drinks            fruit drinks      ‘sports’ drinks            ‘vitamin’ drinks          ‘energy’ drinks            ready-to-drink cordial	All	Up to and including 3 litres
Pure fruit juice – means a liquid at least 90% of which is fruit juice or vegetable juice or a mixture of fruit and vegetable juices	All	Less than 1 litre
Flavoured milk – (cow’s milk or the milk of any other animal, soy milk, ultra heat-treated milk, low fat milk etc.)	All	Less than 1 litre

 

Exemptions

1. Containers constructed of cardboard and plastic, cardboard and foil, or cardboard, plastic and foil (commonly known as casks or aseptic packs) containing at least 1 litre of wine, wine-based beverage or water.

2. Containers constructed of plastic or foil or plastic and foil (commonly known as sachets) containing at least 250ml of wine.

NOTE:

The Act does not apply to;

• Flavoured, non-carbonated (still) waters
• Containers with a capacity of more than 3000 ml

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