NZ Plastic Phase Out - What's Next?

NZ Plastic Phase Out - What's Next?

November 2022

The official banning of a more extensive list of single-use plastics and hard-to-recycle items in New Zealand was put in place on 1st October 2022. The government has mapped out the future of plastics over the next two years to assist with the phasing out of plastic straws, produce bags, plastic tableware, and non-compostable plastic produce labels by mid-2023, and for further food and drink packaging to be banned by mid 2025.

Plastic is one of the greatest challenges for the environment, and by substituting these with alternatives, you and your customers can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. 

Plastic products banned from 1 October 2022 (tranche 1)

  • PVC food trays and containers* (plastic type #3) 
  • Polystyrene takeaway food and drink packaging (plastic type #6) 
  • Expanded polystyrene food and drink packaging (plastic type #6) 
  • Plastic with pro-degradant additives, eg oxo and photo degradable plastics (subset of plastic type #7) 
  • Plastic drink stirrers (all plastic types)
  • Plastic stemmed cotton buds (all plastic types)

*The scope is limited to pre-formed trays used for produce, baked goods and meat.

To be phased out by mid-2023 (tranche 2)

Single-use

  • Plastic produce bags
  • Plastic plates, bowls and cutlery
  • Plastic straws*
  • Plastic produce labels**

*Plastic straws will be available for disabled people and medical use

** See this website for further information on scope.

To be phased out by mid-2025 (tranche 3)

  • All other PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging

Make the change today - see our wide range of Eco Takeaway Packaging and Takeaway Cups

Phasing Out Plastic in New Zealand