New Zealand banned thin plastic bags
New Zealand extends ban on plastic bags in supermarkets. This ban has been imposed on thin plastic bags. Usually, these bags are used for fruits and vegetables.
This is done as part of the government’s campaign against single-use plastics. It came into force recently. Meanwhile, many shoppers bring bags from home while coming to the market. In 2019, the country banned heavy plastic bags from being marketed.
Many countries have banned plastic bags in the last few years. Others have charged a fee for these bags. New Zealand’s Minister of State for the Environment, Rachel Brooking, said, “New Zealand produces much plastic waste.”
Since the heavy plastic bag ban came into effect in 2019, the use of more than 1 billion plastic bags has been reduced. Saturday’s new move expects to reduce the use of 15 million plastic bags annually.
Critics have expressed concern that shoppers will carry groceries in disposable paper bags. These bags are still available in supermarkets.
“It’s important to do this now,” Brooking said. We want to reduce the use of single-use plastics for packaging. We want people to bring their bags, and supermarkets make reusable bags.’
Supermarket chain Countdown they have more than 185 stores across the country. They are making reusable polyester bags.
“We know it’s hard to change things, and it’s going to take them (customers) a while,” said Kathryn Langabeer, Countdown’s head of sustainability, adding that some customers have expressed anger.
