Plastic Free July starts with new single-use plastic ban
News
It’s Plastic Free July and all-around Aotearoa people will be reducing or eliminating their plastic waste to support our environment, climate, and waterways. Whether or not you’re taking part, big changes have come into effect for us all with the start of the Government’s ban on single-use plastic on 1 July.
What single-use plastics are now banned?
Single-use plastic drinking straws
- Single-use plastic drinking straws will only be available to disabled people and those with health conditions, or if the straw is an integral part of the packaging, like with juice boxes.
- Alternatives: reusable straws are available in a lot of different materials. Find a good one and stick it in your bag for use out and about.
Single-use plastic tableware and cutlery
- You won’t be able to use plastic tableware and cutlery if it’s designed to be used once, or only a limited number of times, before being thrown away.
- Alternatives: paper, cardboard, and bamboo items are great to use. Consider bringing your own cutlery or containers for takeaway food if the retailer allows it – like bringing your own container for your sushi fix!
Plastic produce labels
- From now on, the labels on your fruit and veg will need to be made of a material that is home compostable.
Single-use plastic produce bags
- Those plastic bags from supermarkets that you stick your fruit and veg in? They’re out.
- Alternatives: paper bags, reusable bags of different materials, or simply go without a bag. Under the Weights and Measures Act, it’s illegal for retailers to charge for the weight of food packaging and they’ll need to take this into account when weighing your produce.
For more information, visit Environment.govt.nz