The regulations will prohibit the sale and manufacture of certain single-use and hard-to-recycle plastic items from 1 October 2022.
About the regulations
From 1 October 2022 retailers can no longer sell or distribute the targeted plastic items and they can no longer be manufactured.
The regulations give effect to policy decisions made in June 2021 following an earlier consultation period.
The regulations were approved and announced in March 2022. This gives businesses a six-month period, until 1 October 2022, to transition away from the targeted items.
Reasons for the regulations
Plastic is one of our greatest environmental challenges. It regularly ends up as waste in our landfills, our moana and whenua.
Difficult-to-recycle packaging and products can interfere with our recycling systems and are often used only once before being disposed of.
Shifting away from hard-to-recycle and single-use plastics will help reduce plastic waste, improve our recycling systems and protect our environment. This shift is also part of our journey to move Aotearoa New Zealand towards a low-carbon, low-waste circular economy.
Groups that will be affected by the regulations
The regulations will apply to any individual, business or retailer who sells (including suppliers) or manufacturers any of the targeted plastic item(s) in New Zealand.
This includes:
* Manufacturers
* Businesses selling the prohibited plastics (this includes providing them for free)
* Hospitality businesses providing these plastics
Banned items as of 1 October 2022
The following products will no longer be able to be sold or manufactured in Aotearoa from 1 October 2022:
1. Plastic drink stirrers
2. Plastic stemmed cotton buds
3. Oxo- and photo- degradable plastic products
4. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pre-formed food trays and containers
5. Polystyrene takeaway food and beverage packaging, eg some sushi trays and takeaway containers
6. Expanded polystyrene food and beverage packaging, eg foamed cups, bowls, plates, and some grocery products
Source: https://environment.govt.nz/
