New Zealand Plastic Ban
NZNew Zealand’s ban on single-use plastic will speed up the transition toward a circular economy. The goal of this ban on food packaging is to reduce plastic pollution on land and in the oceans and reduce the unsustainable use of fossil fuels to make packaging. The single use packaging ban will be implemented in stages – the single use bag ban is the only ban in effect at the moment.
Single Use Bag Ban
Shopping Bag Ban: 1 November 2019 INCLUDED IN THE BAN Single-use plastic shopping bags 70 microns thick or under, including compostable versions. EXEMPT FROM THE BAN Compostable bag accepted if not used to carry goods (bin liner, dog waste bag). These compostable bags are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags.
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Stage One, Two & Three
Stage one of the New Zealand single-use plastic ban will be enforced on 1 October 2022, affecting a selection of single-use plastic items, including PLA bioplastic stirrers. Explore our food packaging alternatives below. Stage One Ban: 1 October 2022 INCLUDED IN THE BAN
Plastic drink stirrers, including compostable PLA versions of these items. Plastic stemmed cotton buds Oxo- and photo- degradable plastic products Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pre-formed food trays and containers Polystyrene takeaway food and beverage packaging, eg some sushi trays and takeaway containers. Expanded polystyrene food and beverage packaging, e.g. foamed cups, bowls, plates, and some grocery products. EXEMPT FROM THE BAN Polystyrene cup lids Clear PET (1) including recycled PET (rPET), polystyrene cup lids Reusable, paper and fibre-based alternatives PET, and Polypropylene takeaway packaging EPS bins used in cold-chain supply lines Cotton bud stems made from paper or bamboo or wood.
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Stage two of the New Zealand single-use plastic ban is currently in draft and is due to start in mid 2023. BioPak’s paper bags, sugarcane bowls and wooden cutlery are sustainable alternatives to the banned items. Stage Two: Due to Start Mid 2023 PROPOSED BANNED ITEMS Plastic produce labels Plastic produce bags (under 70 microns thick without handles used for the purpose of carrying fruit or vegetables from the point of sale). Including compostable PLA versions of these items. Plastic bowls, cutlery and straws, including compostable PLA versions of these items. We will provide an update as soon as the legislation passes – watch this space.
Stage three of the New Zealand Single-Use plastic ban is currently in draft and is due to start in mid 2025. PROPOSED BANNED ITEMS All other PVC food and beverage packaging and polystyrene food and beverage packaging, including PS lids. We will provide an update as soon as the legislation passes – watch this space.
Find compliant packaging alternatives our BioPak brand partnered with Paper Lane Packaging have a wide range of alternative products to help you replace any of your foodservice packaging items that have been banned.