Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today pledged to take action on plastic bags when she accepted a petition signed by over 65,000 people along with a letter from Greenpeace.
“Since I took on this portfolio I have been struck by how much New Zealanders really care about the harmful impacts of single use plastic bags. The message I’ve got is that it’s time for change,” Ms Sage said.
“The previous National Government ignored this problem when a similar petition by Our Seas Our Future was considered in 2014 and decided to do nothing.
“This government cares about the environment and knows how much New Zealanders understand that single use plastics bags are produced using oil, create waste, and can end up in the ocean, choking marine life. They want leadership on the issue.”
Ms Sage recognised efforts by Progressive Enterprises, Foodstuffs, Mitre 10 and Z Energy to phase out single use plastic bags which will cut their use by 75%. Retailers have also picked up the Soft Plastics Scheme which has been part-funded through the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund and gives some people places to take bags, including bread bags, for recycling.
“These moves are to be celebrated but are not enough. The question is to ban or not to ban. I have directed officials to look at the best options and report back.
“Under my watch New Zealand is not going to be part of the problem.
“I don’t want turtles, seabirds and fish choking to death on something that is a mere short term convenience. The time is right for change. This government cares about nature and a healthy environment. It’s taking action on climate change. It’s time to turn around our rubbish record on waste and plastic bags.
“Significantly reducing waste going to landfill by 2020 is a key goal of the Green Party’s confidence and supply agreement with Labour and is a priority for me as Associate Environment Minister. While single use plastic bags represent 0.2 % of landfill waste they are an unnecessary pollutant.
“More than 30 countries have legislated to regulate single use plastic bags with bans or levies. New Zealand has been a laggard in this space for years, but that’s not going to be the case under this Government.”
“I thank Greenpeace and all those involved in the PURE Tour (Plastics Use Resistance Education) for their energy and work on this.”
Latest Environment Announcements
Story
Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forest
Story
You *wood* not believe it: Greens secure win for urban trees
Story
Forestry sector must compensate for slash damage
Story
Greens launch petition to protect conservation lands from mining by Mineralogy International Limited
Story
National's drought of ideas won't help farmers facing climate change
Story
Freshwater crisis needs stronger government action
Latest Waste Announcements
Story
Greens welcome waste strategy release and work
Story
Container return scheme will benefit recycling and the oceans
Story
Waste strategy needs to learn from nature
Story
Greens welcome progress on hard to recycle and single use plastics, but more needs to be done
Story
More action on waste – Government funds recycling infrastructure, moves to standardise kerbside collections
Story