New Zealand bans sale of single-use plastic products

From July 1, 2023, New Zealand will ban the sale of multiple single-use plastic products across the country in accordance with the New Zealand Ministry of Environment’s “Reduced Regulation on Minimizing Waste (Plastics and Related Products) by 2022” issued in November 2022.

The product categories that are no longer manufactured or sold include single-use plastic dishes and single-use plastic bags (used to pack vegetables, fruits, etc.) even if these products are recyclable, compostable or biodegradable plastic materials are also prohibited.

Transitional periods for specific products

Plastic suction tubes that make up packaging components (e.g. juice or milk box) can be sold before January 1, 2026.

It is planned to phase out the labelling of plastic products used on imported fruits and vegetables by July 1, 2025 and replace them with plastic materials that can be degraded by compost.

New Zealand government’s ban on plastic

Since October 2022, New Zealand has banned merchants from selling or producing single-use plastic cotton sticks, beverage blend sticks and most meat dishes, and this nationwide ban on the sale of multiple single-use plastic products further reflects the country’s government’s determination to ban plastic.
Global Ban Plastics Trends and Corporate Response

In recent years, European countries, such as the UK, have also passed related plastic ban laws, such as the UK’s Environmental Protection Regulation 2023, which bans the use of certain types of plastic products in the UK.

In the face of this global ban, relevant export companies should study the specific content of relevant regulations and adjust export strategies in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary trade losses.