Retailers will no longer be able sell or give away single-use plastic bags as of July 1, 2019, after the Cabinet of New Zealand agreed to a proposed mandatory phase-out.

The phase-out applies to all new plastic bags with handles up to 70 microns in thickness, including lightweight supermarket bags, heavier boutique-style shopping bags and ‘emergency’ bags offered in some supermarkets as an alternative – whether the bags are biodegradable or not.

“These regulations are an important first step to tackle New Zealand’s wider waste problem,” Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage said.

“Importantly, the mandatory phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags signals that we need to do things very differently – manufacturers, retailers and consumers all have a responsibility to reduce waste and prevent plastic pollution.”

The phase-out marks the beginning of the Government’s transition to a ‘circular economy’, with the ultimate goal of creating a system devoid of waste.

This will involve expanding the waste disposal levy to all landfills, investing strategically in infrastructure and innovation, and dealing with problematic waste, such as vehicle tyres and e-waste.

Some retailers, such as supermarket chain Countdown, have already committed to reducing their environmental impact by removing single-use bags from checkouts. Similarly, The Warehouse Group is taking steps to offer reusable bags in stores.

At the time the phase-out was first proposed, Retail NZ’s Greg Harford noted that some retailers may be left with unused plastics after the transition window and will need to find an appropriate way to dispose of them.

“These products can still cause environmental harm, and we do not have the proper infrastructure in New Zealand to ensure that even compostable bags are dealt with at scale,” Harford said.