Regulations for mandatory phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags to be in force from 1 July 2019.
Associate Minister for the Environment, Eugenie Sage has today confirmed retailers will no longer be able to sell or give away single-use plastic shopping bags from 1 July 2019, after Cabinet agreed to the proposed regulations for a mandatory nationwide phase out of these bags.
“Plastic shopping bags are a hazard for nature, particularly marine wildlife. They can also introduce harmful microplastics into the food chain,” said Eugenie Sage.
“These regulations are an important first step to tackle New Zealand’s wider waste problem. Importantly, the mandatory phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags signals that we need to do things very differently – manufacturers, retailers and consumers all have a responsibility to reduce waste and prevent plastic pollution”.
Public consultation ran from 10 August – 14 September 2018 and showed strong support for the proposed regulations, with 92 per cent of submitters agreeing we should no longer have single-use plastic shopping bags in New Zealand.
The phase out will apply to all new plastic shopping bags with handles that are made of plastic up to 70 microns in thickness. This includes light-weight supermarket bags, heavier boutique-style shopping bags and the ‘emergency’ bags currently offered by some supermarkets as an alternative to a free single-use bag. It will also include bags fitting this description made of degradable plastic (ie. biodegradable, compostable and oxy-degradable) regardless of whether the plastic material is sourced from fossil-fuel, synthetic compounds or from biological sources such as plants.
The phase out marks the start of a significant Government programme to reduce waste and build the foundations for New Zealand’s transition to a ‘circular economy’ approach, where eventually waste will be designed out of the system.
“We have an ambitious programme underway to turn around New Zealand’s poor track record on waste,” said Eugenie Sage.
“This includes expanding the waste disposal levy to all landfills and improving our data on waste and resource recovery, investing more strategically in infrastructure and innovation, and a greater focus on product stewardship for problematic waste streams such as vehicle tyres and e-waste.
“New Zealand has recently become a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment – a global pledge to address the root causes of plastic pollution – and this work programme will help us deliver on our commitment,” she said.
Information about the mandatory phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags in New Zealand can be found on the Ministry for the Environment’s website at www.mfe.govt.nz/plasticbags
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