WA Parliament has done away with the automatic providing of plastic straws, after Greens South West MLC Diane Evers raised objections last month.
Ms Evers wrote to Parliament’s catering staff on February 26, noting the automatic supply of plastic straws with all soft drinks served in glasses in the parliamentary dining room.
Ms Evers was happy with the result, and encouraged anyone concerned about plastic waste to contact their local venues to make changes.
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READ NOW“It is just a small step, but not if we all talk to our local venues about this sort of thing,” she said.
Ms Evers highlighted the contribution of plastic waste to landfill and impacts on the environment and marine life, including water ways, birds and sea mammals.
“I was delighted to receive an email back from the dining room manager stating that they will no longer automatically provide a straw for beverages in the members dining room, functions, members bar and visitors lounge – rather on request only – and that the catering unit had sourced a new straw that is non-plastic and is paper based,” she said.
“I congratulate the parliamentary catering team on being so responsive.
“Maybe there are other venues and small businesses who would be willing to make changes with similar encouragement.”
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