❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Environment on strategies to combat marine plastic pollution, following a Senate inquiry report. The Minister details existing programs and rejects a ban on single-use plastic bags.
AnsweredQoN 889Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ENVIRONMENT — MARINE PLASTIC POLLUTION
889. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to recommendations set out
in the Senate inquiry report entitled ''Toxic tide: the threat of marine
plastic pollution in Australia'', which was published on 20 April 2016.
(1) Given that
the government has committed to introducing a container deposit scheme, will
the minister please provide details of further anti-littering mitigation
strategies that will be implemented?
(2) Will the
minister please provide a breakdown of targeted education campaigns that aim to
change consumer behaviour in relation to the use of plastics that it has
implemented since 20 April 2016, or plans to implement?
(3) Will the
minister now commit to banning the use of single-use lightweight plastic bags,
as set out in the report?
889. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to recommendations set out
in the Senate inquiry report entitled ''Toxic tide: the threat of marine
plastic pollution in Australia'', which was published on 20 April 2016.
(1) Given that
the government has committed to introducing a container deposit scheme, will
the minister please provide details of further anti-littering mitigation
strategies that will be implemented?
(2) Will the
minister please provide a breakdown of targeted education campaigns that aim to
change consumer behaviour in relation to the use of plastics that it has
implemented since 20 April 2016, or plans to implement?
(3) Will the
minister now commit to banning the use of single-use lightweight plastic bags,
as set out in the report?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for some notice of the question.
(1) Container
deposit schemes have a major long-term impact on reducing litter and changing
behaviour. The Liberal–National government's proposed scheme
will target beverage containers, many of which are plastic. Beverage containers
are one of the most commonly seen litter types as measured by the National
Litter Index. The Liberal–National government's container
deposit scheme will complement programs and actions in the ''Western Australian
Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment'' and ''A Litter
Prevention Strategy for Western Australia 2015–2020''. The
Liberal–National government's litter prevention strategy sets
out a framework for litter management, including initiatives and programs to
reduce the incidence of littering in Western Australia.
(2) The Keep
Australia Beautiful Council, supported by the landfill levy, implements a range
of litter prevention programs throughout Western Australia, with a significant
focus on education and community engagement. The Keep Australia Beautiful
Council's clean marine campaign promotes responsible litter disposal
among recreational fishers, boaters and those engaging in recreational pursuits
near rivers, waterways and beaches. The initiative is supported through
partnerships with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Department of
Transport, the Department of Fisheries, Recfishwest and the Tangaroa Blue
Foundation's ocean care program.
The clean schools program aims to
change the littering behaviour of students and reduce litter in schools. As at
30 June 2016, 488 Western Australian primary and secondary schools, and other
organisations involved in waste management education, were participating in the
program. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council produces outback packs to provide
travellers with tools to manage their own litter and conduct clean-ups at rest
areas, campsites and roadsides. During 2015–16, 15 625 outback packs
were distributed. Clean Clubs helps sporting and community clubs to manage
litter and encourages positive litter disposal behaviour amongst members and
promotes recycling. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council provides registered
clubs with portable collapsible bins and educational materials. A continuing
partnership with the Department of Parks and Wildlife on the fishing line bin
project installed 45 bins throughout the metropolitan area at fishing jetties
and boat ramps. Community members who signed up as adopters of fishing line
bins were provided with stickers and brochures for distribution. The Waste
Authority supports schools through its Waste Wise Schools program. The program
offers two curriculum-based learning workshops for teachers on the problems
with single-use plastic bottles. A case study has recently been filmed at two
high schools that adopted Message in a Plastic Bottle as a cross-curriculum
program for their years 7 to 10 cohorts.
(3) No, the state government does
not regulate the use of plastic bags and has no intention to do so.
member for some notice of the question.
(1) Container
deposit schemes have a major long-term impact on reducing litter and changing
behaviour. The Liberal–National government's proposed scheme
will target beverage containers, many of which are plastic. Beverage containers
are one of the most commonly seen litter types as measured by the National
Litter Index. The Liberal–National government's container
deposit scheme will complement programs and actions in the ''Western Australian
Waste Strategy: Creating the Right Environment'' and ''A Litter
Prevention Strategy for Western Australia 2015–2020''. The
Liberal–National government's litter prevention strategy sets
out a framework for litter management, including initiatives and programs to
reduce the incidence of littering in Western Australia.
(2) The Keep
Australia Beautiful Council, supported by the landfill levy, implements a range
of litter prevention programs throughout Western Australia, with a significant
focus on education and community engagement. The Keep Australia Beautiful
Council's clean marine campaign promotes responsible litter disposal
among recreational fishers, boaters and those engaging in recreational pursuits
near rivers, waterways and beaches. The initiative is supported through
partnerships with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, the Department of
Transport, the Department of Fisheries, Recfishwest and the Tangaroa Blue
Foundation's ocean care program.
The clean schools program aims to
change the littering behaviour of students and reduce litter in schools. As at
30 June 2016, 488 Western Australian primary and secondary schools, and other
organisations involved in waste management education, were participating in the
program. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council produces outback packs to provide
travellers with tools to manage their own litter and conduct clean-ups at rest
areas, campsites and roadsides. During 2015–16, 15 625 outback packs
were distributed. Clean Clubs helps sporting and community clubs to manage
litter and encourages positive litter disposal behaviour amongst members and
promotes recycling. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council provides registered
clubs with portable collapsible bins and educational materials. A continuing
partnership with the Department of Parks and Wildlife on the fishing line bin
project installed 45 bins throughout the metropolitan area at fishing jetties
and boat ramps. Community members who signed up as adopters of fishing line
bins were provided with stickers and brochures for distribution. The Waste
Authority supports schools through its Waste Wise Schools program. The program
offers two curriculum-based learning workshops for teachers on the problems
with single-use plastic bottles. A case study has recently been filmed at two
high schools that adopted Message in a Plastic Bottle as a cross-curriculum
program for their years 7 to 10 cohorts.
(3) No, the state government does
not regulate the use of plastic bags and has no intention to do so.
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