Explainer - The next phase of the government's single use plastics ban begins 1 July, and may change some of the ways you shop. RNZ is here with what you need to know.

Here are the changes as of 1 July:

  • The manufacture, sale or distribution of single-use plastic produce bags, plates, bowls, and cutlery will be banned.
  • Single-use plastic straws will be restricted. Some businesses or organisations will still be able to provide them to disabled people and those with health needs.
  • A transition to compostable plastic produce labels by 2025 will begin.

More info at the Ministry for the Environment: https://environment.govt.nz/what-you-can-do/campaigns/bans-on-single-use-and-hard-to-recycle-plastic-items/

    • MaungaHikoiEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      Yeah those are a pain, I keep finding them in my compost bin.

    • DaveOPMA
      3·
      1 year ago

      We aren’t quite. From the list here: https://environment.govt.nz/publications/plastic-products-banned-from-july-2023/#non-home-compostable-plastic-produce-labels

      • The regulations do not apply to produce labelled prior to 1 July 2023 and already in the supply chain.
      • The label adhesive (glue) is not required to be home compostable until 1 July 2025. Globally, label manufacturers are working to develop a home compostable adhesive. This is expected to be available by 2025.
      • Labels used on imported produce are not required to be home compostable until 1 July 2025. This will avoid the cost of delabelling produce and gives other countries time to move to home compostable labels.