❓ Question regarding PFAS in paper straws and their impact on WA's single-use plastic reduction plan, with a suggestion to invest in the local hemp industry. The government acknowledges the issue and highlights existing plans and openness to innovation.
AnsweredQoN 929Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PFAS — PAPER STRAWS
929. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer the minister to a new study
published last week in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants ,
which shows that 90 per cent of paper straws contain some levels of PFAS, the
most common being perfluorooctanoic acid, which was banned globally in 2020.
(1) How will this
research impact on the Cook government's staged reduction of single-use
plastics across Western Australia?
(2) Will the
Cook government invest in and support our local hemp industry to provide a safe
and healthy alternative to wasteful paper
and plastic products that have now been shown to be less eco and human-friendly than was previously thought; and, if not, why not?
929. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer the minister to a new study
published last week in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants ,
which shows that 90 per cent of paper straws contain some levels of PFAS, the
most common being perfluorooctanoic acid, which was banned globally in 2020.
(1) How will this
research impact on the Cook government's staged reduction of single-use
plastics across Western Australia?
(2) Will the
Cook government invest in and support our local hemp industry to provide a safe
and healthy alternative to wasteful paper
and plastic products that have now been shown to be less eco and human-friendly than was previously thought; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) Western Australia's
Plan for Plastics provides a road map towards a more sustainable, plastic-free Western
Australia. The plan is consistent with the waste hierarchy and promotes actions
that prioritise avoiding single-use
plastics, including drinking straws. The plan recommends people refuse drinking
straws.
If unavoidable, use of reusable
straws made from stainless steel, glass, bamboo, steel, silicone and heavier
reusable plastics is suggested. Disposable drinking straws made from
non-plastic materials such as paper, wheat,
pasta or bamboo are only considered if no other options are available and the
public is recommended to look for products that are certified as compostable
to Australian Standard 4736-2006 or 5810-2010.
(2) Innovation
and new products entering the market, such as hemp-based bioplastics, are
welcome if they align with the goal to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
This is anticipated as part of global attention to reduce the impact plastic
has on the environment.
Scientific knowledge regarding PFAS's
environmental occurrence, effects of exposure —
Hon Dr Steve Thomas interjected.
Hon DARREN WEST : I thought
that would get the member excited.
Scientific
knowledge regarding PFAS's environmental occurrence, effects of
exposure, test methods and remediation technologies is rapidly evolving
worldwide. These threshold limits are in alignment with the growing scientific
understanding of the extent of background levels of PFAS contamination in our
surrounding environment.
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) Western Australia's
Plan for Plastics provides a road map towards a more sustainable, plastic-free Western
Australia. The plan is consistent with the waste hierarchy and promotes actions
that prioritise avoiding single-use
plastics, including drinking straws. The plan recommends people refuse drinking
straws.
If unavoidable, use of reusable
straws made from stainless steel, glass, bamboo, steel, silicone and heavier
reusable plastics is suggested. Disposable drinking straws made from
non-plastic materials such as paper, wheat,
pasta or bamboo are only considered if no other options are available and the
public is recommended to look for products that are certified as compostable
to Australian Standard 4736-2006 or 5810-2010.
(2) Innovation
and new products entering the market, such as hemp-based bioplastics, are
welcome if they align with the goal to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
This is anticipated as part of global attention to reduce the impact plastic
has on the environment.
Scientific knowledge regarding PFAS's
environmental occurrence, effects of exposure —
Hon Dr Steve Thomas interjected.
Hon DARREN WEST : I thought
that would get the member excited.
Scientific
knowledge regarding PFAS's environmental occurrence, effects of
exposure, test methods and remediation technologies is rapidly evolving
worldwide. These threshold limits are in alignment with the growing scientific
understanding of the extent of background levels of PFAS contamination in our
surrounding environment.
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