Plastic drink stirrers
This ban includes plastic drink stirrers made of all plastic types including degradable, biodegradable, and compostable plastics.
There are no exemptions for this ban.
Plastic stemmed cotton-buds
This ban includes plastic stemmed cotton-buds made of all plastic types including degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastics.
There are exemptions for this ban for medical and scientific purposes – see below for more detail.
Oxo- and photo- degradable plastic products
Oxo- and photo- degradable plastic products are typically made of conventional plastic that has been manufactured with additives that help the plastic to quickly fragment into smaller pieces, but don’t break down in a specified timeframe (like compostable plastics). These plastics can’t be composted or recycled in Aotearoa, and they leave micro-plastics in the environment.
The type of plastic products that we know may contain pro-degradant additives (pro degradant plastics) include:
- Bin liners
- Pet waste bags
- Litter tray liners
- Magazine wraps
- Dry cleaning bags
- Padded envelopes
- Garment packaging
While the ban targets all plastics with pro-degradant additives, oxo- and photo- degradable plastics are the most common examples of these plastic types on the market at the moment. There are a few additional plastic types emerging in this category, and we intend to provide updated information prior to these regulations coming into effect.
PVC food trays and containers (plastic type 3)
This ban will include pre-formed trays and containers that contain PVC or polyvinylidene dichloride (PVdC), when they are used for meat products (including substitutes), produce or baked goods. The regulations are not intended to ban the same trays if they are used for other purposes.
A pre-formed tray is intended to capture rigid trays that are manufactured separately to the food it packages. The ban is not intended to cover PVC form-fill-seal packaging where the plastic is formed, filled with food and mechanically sealed on the same line. This type of PVC food and beverage packaging will be captured in the third tranche of regulations, coming into force in 2025.
Polystyrene takeaway packaging for food and beverages (plastic type 6)
This ban includes polystyrene used to package food or beverages for immediate consumption – for example, some sushi trays and some takeaway containers from a hospitality venue (eg restaurant, café or other food and beverage takeaway outlet).
Polystyrene used to package retail products (such as chilled packs of yoghurt or sour cream pottles) are not included at this stage – although they will be captured in the third tranche of bans in 2025.
Polystyrene drink lids are also not included. We are currently working on a plan for phasing out single-use cups and lids, and will consider polystyrene drink lids through this work.
Expanded polystyrene food and beverage packaging (plastic type 6)
This ban includes all expanded polystyrene food and beverage packaging sold at retail. This includes both food service ware (eg, takeaway foamed clamshells and bowls) and grocery products (eg, instant noodle containers or a foamed cup multi-pack).
Expanded polystyrene bins (which are sold at wholesale) used to transport items (such as kiwifruit or seafood) through the cold chain are not included.