❓ Dr. Walker inquires about the government's awareness and support for hemp-based packaging as a replacement for single-use plastics. The government acknowledges the potential but focuses on its existing Plan for Plastics.
AnsweredQoN 822Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HEMP —
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
822. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the government's
commitment to phase out a wide variety of single-use plastics by 2026.
(1) Is the
minister aware of new research published in the United States that suggests
that hemp can be used to not only produce biodegradable packaging materials,
but that those materials can either be composted or used a second time as a feedstock
for biofuel production?
(2) What is the
Cook government doing to encourage hemp replacements for plastic packaging
materials; and, will the minister circulate this latest research to those
advising him on these issues to ensure that Western Australia gets the best
possible replacement technologies in a timely manner?
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
822. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the government's
commitment to phase out a wide variety of single-use plastics by 2026.
(1) Is the
minister aware of new research published in the United States that suggests
that hemp can be used to not only produce biodegradable packaging materials,
but that those materials can either be composted or used a second time as a feedstock
for biofuel production?
(2) What is the
Cook government doing to encourage hemp replacements for plastic packaging
materials; and, will the minister circulate this latest research to those
advising him on these issues to ensure that Western Australia gets the best
possible replacement technologies in a timely manner?
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) Innovation
and new products entering the market, such as hemp-based packaging, are welcome
and anticipated as part of global attention to reduce the impact that plastic
has on the environment.
(2) The Cook government is tackling the problems
caused by single-use plastics with nation-leading regulations via Western
Australia's Plan for Plastics. Programs to support the adoption of
alternatives to plastic are being provided, including consideration of
alternative packaging technology and a reduction in the need for packaging
itself. Alternatives to plastic packaging are being considered by business and
government in the implementation of the Plan for Plastics. The Plan for
Plastics and supporting programs encourage a waste-hierarchy approach that
promotes avoiding waste as a first step, with encouraging re-use and recovery
as second and third-order actions.
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) Innovation
and new products entering the market, such as hemp-based packaging, are welcome
and anticipated as part of global attention to reduce the impact that plastic
has on the environment.
(2) The Cook government is tackling the problems
caused by single-use plastics with nation-leading regulations via Western
Australia's Plan for Plastics. Programs to support the adoption of
alternatives to plastic are being provided, including consideration of
alternative packaging technology and a reduction in the need for packaging
itself. Alternatives to plastic packaging are being considered by business and
government in the implementation of the Plan for Plastics. The Plan for
Plastics and supporting programs encourage a waste-hierarchy approach that
promotes avoiding waste as a first step, with encouraging re-use and recovery
as second and third-order actions.
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