Why the Government is planning to ban plastic bags

Friday, 10 August 2018

Single-use shopping bags will be phased out over the next year, according to the government.

The Government wants to ban single-use plastic bags within a year - but why?

HOW BAD IS THE PLASTIC PROBLEM?

New Zealand is one of the highest producers of urban waste in the developed world, per capita. Some 79 per cent of plastic waste produced now sits in landfills, dumps or in the environment. Nearly half of the plastic waste generated worldwide is plastic packaging.

It is estimated that up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year, and studies have put New Zealand's contribution around $1.29 billion per year, although that's an estimate.

* Urgent calls for plastics ban, as recycling and composting plants run out of space

* Compostable packaging 'could do more harm than good'**

Some 79 per cent of plastic waste produced now sits in landfill.

In New Zealand, one of the top five items found in coastal litter is single-use plastic bags.

WHAT DOES THE PLANNED BAN MEAN?

Five of the most common items gathered during litter cleanups are plastic

The ban will affect 'single-use plastic shopping bags' - the kind with handles commonly found at supermarkets and other stores. It also potentially includes some thicker bags.

SO, IS THE BAN A DONE DEAL?

There will be consultation about exactly what kind of bags will be banned. The Government has a consultation document for people who want more info.

WHAT ABOUT COMPOSTABLE BAGS?

A phase-out of bags includes 'biodegradable', 'oxo-degradable' and 'compostable' bags. These are all types of degradable plastics. Biodegradable and compostable plastics can be as harmful as non-biodegradable ones.

The ban will affect 'single-use plastic shopping bags'.

WHY A BAN, RATHER THAN A LEVY?

The Government believes a phased-out ban is the fairest and most effective way of getting rid of single-use plastic shopping bags.

Mandatory phase outs have been successful in other countries. Also, a phase-out can happen under existing laws (ie, the Waste Minimisation Act).

WHY WILL IT TAKE A YEAR TO BRING IN A BAN?

The Government says a year is a good 'lead-in' time so consumers and retailers can adjust to the change. Most supermarkets already offer low-cost reusable bags and some provide used, free cardboard boxes.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC?

Scientists estimate that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the world's oceans today. If nothing changes then it is projected that plastic in oceans will weigh more than all the fish that live in them by 2050, says the Government.

How New Zealand is left in the dust on single-use plastic bags

A survey of New Zealand beaches, harbours and estuaries found microplastics in eight out of the 10 samples.

Five of the most common items gathered during litter cleanups are plastic, including food wrappers, bottle caps and lids, plastic bags, and polystyrene/foam.

WHAT ARE OTHER COUNTRIES DOING?

New Zealand will be following the lead of more than 100 countries, which have already brought in an outright ban, including Australia (six out of eight states), Belgium, France, Italy, China, and Israel.

More than 40 have brought in some kind of tax or charge, including Great Britain, Ireland, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Netherlands, Indonesia and South Africa.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OTHER SINGLE-USE PLASTICS?

Businesses are already working to reduce the amount of single-use plastics, including such things as packaging, plastic straws and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

Recently the Government has brought together 13 local and multi-national companies to sign the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration, in which they have committed to use 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging in their New Zealand operations by 2025 or earlier.