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Guidance on plastic products banned from mid 2025

Descriptions of hard-to-recycle plastics to be phased out from mid-2025. This information is indicative only and subject to change.

This information reflects the decisions Cabinet has made for proposed regulations for hard-to-recycle plastics to be phased out from mid 2025. These decisions are still subject to refinement as we develop the proposed regulations, and subject to final Cabinet decisions on the wording of those regulations.

To be phased out from mid 2025

Illustration of a PVC and polystyrene food tray and a yogurt pottle.

From mid 2025 all other PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging is to be phased out.

Material/item 

Description 

Common examples

Intended policy

Not in scope or possible exemptions

Potential alternatives

All PVC food and beverage packaging

 

 

PVC food and beverage packaging is a tray, container (either with a lid or without a lid), packet, bowl, cup, film or wrap sold as packaging that contains food and beverage products or with the purpose of containing food and beverage products for sale and made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

 

PVC biscuit trays and containers

To stop the sale and distribution of food and beverage packaging that is primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sold either full or empty.

Not applicable

Reusable packaging.

 

Recyclable plastic (type 1, 2 and 5) or paper packaging.

 

All polystyrene food and beverage packaging

 

 

Polystyrene food and beverage packaging is a tray, container (either with a lid or without a lid), packet, bowl or cup sold as packaging that contains food and beverage products or with the purpose of containing food and beverage products and is made from rigid polystyrene including high-impact polystyrene.

 

Polystyrene food pottles

To stop the sale and distribution of food and beverage packaging that is primarily made from rigid polystyrene packaging sold either full or empty.

Not applicable

Reusable packaging.

 

Recyclable plastic (type 1, 2 and 5) or paper packaging.

 

Readers of this information are advised that:

  • the information does not alter the laws of New Zealand, other official guidelines, or requirements.
  • it does not constitute legal advice, and users should take specific advice from qualified professionals before taking any action based on information in this publication.
  • the Ministry does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever whether in contract, tort, equity, or otherwise for any action taken as a result of reading, or reliance placed on this information because of having read any part, or all, of the information in this publication or for any error, or inadequacy, deficiency, flaw in, or omission from the information in this publication.