Page 2516 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
forget education materials, a simple but effective way to highlight the advantages of using sustainable nappies and sanitary products.
Some councils in Adelaide have gone one step further, by partnering with businesses or community groups to provide cloth nappy library services. A cloth nappy library enables families to hire a cloth nappy kit, including a sample range of modern cloth nappies and accessories, over a set period and at a set cost, enabling consumers to test things out for themselves, to determine if it is the right product for them. There are various ways that a cloth nappy library could operate here, such as a government-run service or a partnership with another organisation. Again I simply think it is worth having a look at.
Canberra is already a leader when it comes to sustainability and waste reduction, but together I think we can do more to encourage people to consider environmentally-friendly alternatives, if they are right for them, such as cloth nappies, cloth sanitary pads, menstrual cups, and period or incontinence underwear.
There are many individuals and groups dedicating time and resources to help Canberra consumers to make informed decisions about nappies and sanitary and incontinence products. There are many ways we can support these efforts and give consideration to how we as a government can go about removing barriers which might be putting people off considering these options, such as investigating the feasibility of rebates, considering a cloth nappy library service, and exploring having more introductory workshops or education materials.
As I said it is not about shaming consumers who use disposable products; it is simply about choice. Disposable products can be the right choice for people. I absolutely understand and respect that. This motion does not in any way seek to remove those options or to restrict those choices. But if there are ways that we can help or encourage people to try out, or hopefully to commit to using, more sustainable products, ways to remove barriers to consumers using these products, ways that ultimately result in less landfill and waste, it is absolutely worth us looking into. I commend the motion to the Assembly.
MS LAWDER (Brindabella) (3.20): I thank Ms Cheyne for bringing this motion to the attention of the Assembly today. The issue of reducing waste, as we have already touched on today in relation to another motion, is one that occupies the minds of many Canberrans. People are deeply committed to it.
The ACT has long prided itself on its recycling. I think most of us are familiar with the waste management strategy hierarchy, the mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle, recover. The ACT waste management strategy has been a resource document since the days of, I think, previous minister Simon Corbell. It followed on from the no waste by 2010 strategy, released in 1996, that reduced waste sent to landfill from nearly 60 per cent of total waste in 1995-96 to below 30 per cent by 2003-04.
The goal of the ACT waste management strategy for 2011-25 is to ensure that the ACT leads innovation to achieve full resource recovery and a carbon-neutral waste sector. As the strategy suggests, it is embedded in legislation to ensure “that the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video