Request about any reports, emails, documents, memos, letters, notes and draft material reviewing the introduction of the 2019 single use plastic bag ban

Details of the request

1. Any reports, emails, documents, memos, letters, notes and draft material reviewing
   the introduction of the 2019 single use plastic bag ban from the 1 July 2019 to 1 January 2024.
   
   
2. You also requested we answer the following questions if there are no specific reports
   reviewing the effectiveness at achieving its stated goals:
   1. Why has no such report been completed?
   2. Was it successful in reducing waste into the ocean, as claimed?
   3. Can you break down the amount of plastic in the ocean for each of the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 calendar years?
   4. How much plastic is consumed in New Zealand each year?
   5. Can you advise how much plastic is used in NZ for each of the above years?
   6. How do you know the plastic bags haven't been replaced with other re-useable bags that may have a similar or worse environmental impact?
   7. What actual evidence do you have that the plastic bag ban achieved its stated goals?
   8. How much extra are consumers paying for bags after the ban?
   9. How much has been spent on policy, enforcement and in total by the Ministry for developing and overseeing the ban?

Response documents

• New Zealand Bag Ban [PDF, 4 MB]
• Plastic Bag Ban Compliance Programme Report Part 1 [PDF, 999 KB]
• Plastic Bag Ban Compliance Programme Report Part 2 [PDF, 743 KB]