The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed further progress towards a national ban on single-use plastic products, including plastic bags. However, a national approach by the State and Federal Governments to encourage sustainable wood fibre replacement products is needed, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Mr Ross Hampton said today.
“It’s great to see recommendations from a Senate committee this week about a banning of single-use plastics in Australia by 2023. Likewise, the Victorian Government’s decision to extend its plastic bag ban is another welcome development. Everywhere you look right now, governments in Australia and across the World are either talking about, or enforcing plastic bans,” Mr Hampton said.
“A national approach is needed though for sustainable wood fibre based replacement products like renewable paper shopping bags or straws. I encourage Australian Governments through the COAG process to encourage a push from single-use plastics to renewable wood fibre products.
“Renewable wood fibre products also lend themselves to the notion of a ‘circular economy’ highlighted in the Senate report where all materials used in Australia are recycled and reused here.
“The days of plastic are numbered and jurisdictions across the country would be better placed working in sync together, to see changes come through.
“Renewable and recyclable paper products also underpin considerable economic activity and jobs in our sustainable paper businesses. It’s good for the environment and good for the economy,” Mr Hampton concluded.
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