Your shout for recycling: The hidden drinks levy set to cost you

IT’S time to stock up, beer prices are about to go up thanks to a new state government charge. Find out what you will pay.

GOLD Coast beer lovers can expect to pay at least $2.40 more for a carton of grog from tomorrow with the introduction of Queensland’s new container refund scheme.

While school groups and charities are set to profit from the recycling plan, local bottlos and brewers say consumers can expect prices to rise.

The container refund scheme which received bipartisan support comes into operation on November 1, and will pay 10 cents for every suitable container returned.

However, beverage manufacturers will be hit with a monthly processing fee of around 10.2 cents per unit (can, bottle etc) to cover the rebate and cost of processing.

Wine, spirits, milk and pure juice bottles are excluded from the scheme.

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Posters distributed by the QHA to explain why the price of beer has risen.

Hayden Blair, of the Grand Hotel liquor shop in Labrador, said the prices would likely to be passed on to consumers.

“Prices are going to go up, there is not doubt about it, from $2.40 per carton to even $4.10 depending on the product,’’ he said.

“We have already seen that in supermarkets when it comes to soft-drink prices.

“Coca-Cola, water, anything really will be impacted by this, so we are just making sure that people know we certainly aren’t making a profit out of the price rises.”

Mr Blair said a similar price bump took place in NSW when a recycling scheme was introduced last year — “but I don’t think people will shy away from beer”.

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Queensland Hotels Association chief executive Bernie Hogan said the industry was bemused by the move.

“It will definitely increase for all those products, not just alcoholic products, and they will definitely be more than $2.40,” he said.

“From the industry’s perspective it was not really necessary, given the rate of recycling in the community, but we have now been told it is a litter issue, not a recycling issue.

“We didn't ask for it, we didn't like it but now we have got to work with it.”

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Peta Fielding CEO of Burleigh Brewing and Co said if the scheme works the cost would be worth it. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Gold Coast brewers were more optimistic about the scheme.

“As suppliers we are the ones who fund the 10c refund but that isn’t all the cost involved, it is also administration of the scheme,” Burleigh Brewing CEO Peta Fielding said.

“We will absorb a bit but really we are all for anything that can genuinely help reduce rubbish and save out planet.

“I really, really hope it will be effective. With all the cost and resources going into it, it would be a disappointment if it didn’t work.

“I believe people will see just about every carton, no matter the brand, going up by a few dollars.”

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Black Hops Brewing Co founder Eddie Oldfield said he and others in the industry wanted to see wine included in the rebate scheme. Picture Mike Batterham

Black Hops co-founder Eddie Oldfield also hoped the impact would be worth it.

“If it does encourage people to start recycling, the environment is better off for it,” he said.

“A bump up in the cost is a small price to pay. It works out to be about $2.40 per carton of 24 cans.

“We have kind of got to go with it. Brewers can either bad mouth it or look for the positives, which is a better environment.”

A mix of more than 30 hi-tech collection machines, designated businesses and bag drop-off points have been organised across the Gold Coast.

By using a mobile phone app, consumers returning containers will be able to credit their bank account or donate to charity.

For more information on the scheme, read our how to guide here.