Plastic straws are a life need for some people in the community on a permanent or temporary basis. To ensure regulatory actions to ban single-use plastic straws will allow ongoing access for those with a disability or health need who require a straw, the State Government established the Plastic Straws Working Group. The inaugural working group meeting was held on 24 February 2021. Membership consists of representatives from the disability, health, aged care, retail, hospitality and environment sectors, and State Government agencies.
On 13 July 2021, the Plastic Straws Working Group was expanded to include local government, catering, packaging and grocery sectors. Renamed the Single-Use Plastic Working Group, it will provide input into the design of actions to implement the Plan for Plastics and continue to address the accessibility and personal needs surrounding plastic straws and other single-use plastic items. The group will meet every two months or as required.
Single-Use Plastic Working Group members include:
| Organisation | Member |
|---|---|
| Department of Water and Environmental Regulation | Michelle Andrews (Chair) Director General |
| Australian Hotels Association WA | Bradley Woods Chief Executive Officer |
| Australian Medical Association (WA) Inc | Dr Tony Ryan Physician |
| Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Ltd. | Peter Brisbane Government Partnership Manager |
| Australian Retailers Association | Jason Robertson Director Sustainability |
| Carers Advisory Council WA | Esme Bowen Chair |
| Department of Communities | Bronwynn Comerford Individualised Services Program Manager |
| Department of Health | Neil Keen Director |
| Master Grocers Association | Jos de Bruin Chief Executive Officer |
| National Disability Services | Coralie Flatters State Manager, Western Australia |
| National Retail Association | David Stout Director, Policy |
| People with Disabilities (WA) Inc | Brendan Cullinan Executive Director |
| Pharmacy Guild of Australia | Matthew Tweedie Director |
| Plastic Free Foundation | Rebecca Prince-Ruiz Executive Director |
| Restaurant and Catering Industry Association of Australia | Hugo Robinson Manager, Policy and Government |
| South West Aboriginal Medical Service | Lesley Nelson Chief Executive Officer |
| vegetablesWA | Manus Stockdale Acting Chief Executive Officer |
| WA Local Government Association | Rebecca Brown Manager, Waste and Recycling |
| Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association Australia | Gayle Sloan Acting Chief Executive Officer |
| WWF Australia | Kate Noble No Plastics in Nature Policy Manager |
