Newcrest Lihir operation has committed to use paper straws instead of plastic straws, as part of the global movement in saying ‘no’ to plastic straws and saving the environment.
Plastic straws can only be used once, but it takes 200 years to break down in the environment.
Previously, the operation was using 100,000+ plastic straws monthly for alcohol testing. But with paper straws, the number of straws used monthly is now being reduced because an employee can now use a paper straw several times before it can be disposed.
Lihir’s Purchasing Coordinator, Liz Rogers, said the paper straws were trialed on site months ago to assess how they work.
“The trial was successful. The purchasing team had done research and negotiations prior to the trial to find straw suppliers who can supply the quantity and quality that we need.
“The paper straw fits nicely in a pocket and can be used for a week before it can be disposed of. If an employee uses a new paper straw every five days, this means he uses only three paper straws in 15 days (normal on-site roster), that actually breaks down when they are disposed of. Previously an employee used 15 plastic straws in a fortnight that add to those already out there in the environment and posing threats,” she said.
Rogers said it may be hard to see how the use of one plastic straw can negatively impact the environment that we live in.
“Recently, a team of scientists in Costa Rica came across an endangered species of sea turtle with what they thought was a parasite worm blocking its airway. They realized it was actually a plastic straw.
“The scientists successfully dislodged the straw and released the turtle back into the ocean. This is an example of how a plastic straw can be harmful to the environment. We share this world with animals and vegetation that contribute to what we call ‘life’. It would be selfish not to have compassion to care for them,” added Rogers.
In praising the Purchasing team for the initiative, Mine Manager Iso Ealedona said using paper straws reflects Lihir’s commitment in caring for the communities and environment, which aligns to Newcrest’s Safety and Sustainability pillar.
“As a Trupla Man Trupla Meri, we have the responsibility to care for the environment by doing the right thing every time, every day. We all have the responsibility to look after the environment so it can continue to provide for us and the future generation,” said Ealedona.
(Newcrest Lihir’s Trupla FM Broadcaster, Joe Wot, using a paper straw on a breathalyzer for alcohol testing)