Dr LIM - 1996-11-19
I refer the minister to last week's decision by one of Australia's largest brewers to introduce plastic beer bottles. I understand that the brew they contain goes down the throat just as easily and as smoothly. What benefits might such an initiative have in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, last Thursday's NT News detailed the introduction, I understand on a trial basis, of 500 mL plastic bottles for Carlton United's Cold product. It seems to me that this use of plastic bottles could have some benefits, not only for Territorians but for all Australians.
We live a very outdoor-oriented lifestyle, and beer bottle glass can cause deep cuts. At the popular swimming spot at Katherine's Low Level Recreation Reserve, glass has caused very serious injury to children and others. That is just one of the popular spots across the Northern Territory. There is a similar problem at sporting venues, of course, with injuries caused by broken glass on or around playing fields.
Of course, other benefits are provided in terms of recycling and from a reduction in freight costs. I would expect plastic bottles to be considerably lighter than glass bottles. Beer
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may become available to Territorians at a lower price if breweries adopt the use of plastic bottles. The recycling of glass is rather difficult in the Northern Territory because of its weight and the long distances it has to be transported to recycling centres.
I commend Carlton & United Breweries for its introduction, albeit on a trial basis, of the plastic bottles. I wrote last Friday to 15 brewers around the country, commending the trial of these plastic bottles and asking whether they were considering following the lead of Carlton United. I await eagerly the response from the 15 brewers to whom I wrote on behalf of Territorians - those who enjoy a cold beer and those who may be able to use sporting venues and also some of the wonderful waterways and other public places in the Northern Territory in greater safety.
Mr Speaker, I table a copy of the report in the NT News of last Thursday for the information of honourable members.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, last Thursday's NT News detailed the introduction, I understand on a trial basis, of 500 mL plastic bottles for Carlton United's Cold product. It seems to me that this use of plastic bottles could have some benefits, not only for Territorians but for all Australians.
We live a very outdoor-oriented lifestyle, and beer bottle glass can cause deep cuts. At the popular swimming spot at Katherine's Low Level Recreation Reserve, glass has caused very serious injury to children and others. That is just one of the popular spots across the Northern Territory. There is a similar problem at sporting venues, of course, with injuries caused by broken glass on or around playing fields.
Of course, other benefits are provided in terms of recycling and from a reduction in freight costs. I would expect plastic bottles to be considerably lighter than glass bottles. Beer
Page 1763
may become available to Territorians at a lower price if breweries adopt the use of plastic bottles. The recycling of glass is rather difficult in the Northern Territory because of its weight and the long distances it has to be transported to recycling centres.
I commend Carlton & United Breweries for its introduction, albeit on a trial basis, of the plastic bottles. I wrote last Friday to 15 brewers around the country, commending the trial of these plastic bottles and asking whether they were considering following the lead of Carlton United. I await eagerly the response from the 15 brewers to whom I wrote on behalf of Territorians - those who enjoy a cold beer and those who may be able to use sporting venues and also some of the wonderful waterways and other public places in the Northern Territory in greater safety.
Mr Speaker, I table a copy of the report in the NT News of last Thursday for the information of honourable members.
Page 1764
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016