MEDIA RELEASE

Report on Inquiry into Waste Management of Absorbent Hygiene Products

The Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, today tabled the Committee’s report into its Inquiry into the Waste Management of Absorbent Hygiene Products.

The Committee announced this inquiry on 2 August 2022. The Committee received 19 submissions and held two public hearings, hearing from a number of groups including the ACT Government, the City of Stonnington, the City of Hobart, Kimberly-Clark Australia and community groups and organisations such as Ainslie Community Pantry and Conder House Laundry and Linen Service.

The Committee’s report made 13 recommendations in relation to the waste management of absorbent hygiene products such as nappies, wet wipes, incontinence pads, and sanitary products. These include the use of rebates for encouraging use of reusable products, the introduction of a cloth nappy library trial, and the provision of education and training on the disposal of these products to the community and industries.

Dr Paterson said, ‘The Committee is of the view that, due to the ACT Government’s goal to move the ACT towards a circular economy, the need to reduce and eventually eliminate waste from absorbent hygiene products is an important part of the conversation on waste management. We hope that this report will encourage further action by Government in this area.’

The Committee’s report is available on the Assembly’s webpage at https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports

Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the ACT Government is required to respond to committee reports within four months of tabling.

12 September 2023

STATEMENT ENDS.

Committee Chair, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, on (02) 6205 1448

Committee A/g Secretary, Miona Ikeda, on (02) 6205 0199 or at LACommitteeECCB@parliament.act.gov.au