Proposals to phase-out more single-use and hard-to-recycle plastics

Following the successful plastic shopping bag ban, the Government is proposing to phase-out more single-use and hard-to-recycle plastic items.Seven single-use items have been identified for proposed phase-out, as they provide problems to New Zealand’s waste management system, or end up as litter.The proposed products are:

• single-use plastic bags
• tableware (e.g. plastic plates, bowls, cutlery)
• non-compostable produce stickers
• drink stirrers
• some single-use cups and lids
• plastic cotton buds
• plastic straws.

The seven items were selected using criteria including environmental harm, sustainable alternatives and international trends.The Government is also proposing to phase-out all:

• PVC food and beverage packaging
• polystyrene food and beverage packaging
• other expanded polystyrene packaging
• oxo-degradable plastic products

PVC and polystyrene pose bigger problems for recycling than other plastics, such as PET. In many cases, there are alternative plastics that are easier to recycle.Submissions close* 5pm on Friday, 4 December 2020* The public consultation began on 12 August, and was extended by a month following Auckland Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.