It's hoped a 10-cent drink container refund scheme will nearly halve the millions of empty bottles left at NSW parks, beaches and waterways in the next five years, but consumers will have to pay slightly more for their drinks.
Premier Mike Baird says from July next year, anyone who hands in an eligible drink bottle or container at designated sites around the state will be rewarded with a 10-cent refund.
"This is an historical day for NSW," Mr Baird told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
"Never before has there been an attack on litter like we are undertaking today."
Beverage suppliers will pay for the refunds as well as the scheme's handling and administrative fees, with a ten-cent hike in soft drink prices expected to be passed on to consumers.
Modelling suggested the extra cost to households which don't return soft drink containers will be about $30 a year.
"Yes, when you purchase a beverage container you pay a 10-cent deposit, (but) you can get that back," Mr Baird said.
Jeff Angel from the Total Environment Centre and Clean Up Australia Day founder Ian Kiernan - both long-time advocates of the scheme - welcomed the announcement.
"Instead of seeing a bit of rubbish on the beach or floating in the creek, you'll see money - it'll soon disappear," Mr Kiernan told reporters.
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