New Zealand bans single-use plastic shopping bags

New Zealand has officially banned single-use plastic shopping bags today. Companies that break the ban will face heavy penalties, including fines of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars (USD 67,000). Under the new rules, thin plastic single-use shopping bags can no longer be supplied, but reusable carriers are allowed. The legislation which was announced in August last year came into force yesterday.

Major supermarkets in the country have already banned the bags voluntarily.  

Environment



Minister Eugenie Sage said New Zealanders are proud of their country's clean, green reputation and ending the use of single-use plastic shopping bags helps do that.

More than 80 countries have already introduced similar bans, according to the UN Environment Programme. Plastic pollution has become a growing global concern, with a million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals injured or killed every year by becoming entangled in packaging or ingesting it through the food chain.