Plastic items and materials for phase out: tranche 2 and 3
Descriptions of hard-to-recycle and single-use plastics to be phased out in mid-2023 (tranche 2) and mid-2025 (tranche 3). This information is indicative only and subject to change.
The information below reflects the decisions Cabinet has made for proposed regulations. 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.
More information on the proposed regulations will be available from late-2022.
| Material/item | Description | Intended policy | Not in scope or possible exemptions | Potential alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Plastic produce bags |
A single-use plastic produce bag is a lightweight bag under 70 microns thick without handles made from any type of plastic including degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastics, and used for the purpose of carrying fruit or vegetables from the point of sale. | To stop the use of single-use plastic produce bags. | Pre-packaged produce bags | Reusable bag |
|
Plastic tableware (plates/bowls/cutlery)
|
Plastic tableware includes plates, bowls, trays and cutlery designed for single-use and made primarily of any type of plastic including degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastics and sold for the purpose of eating food. Cutlery includes any utensil that can be used to eat food – spoons, forks, knives, sporks, splayds and chopsticks.
|
To stop the use of plastic tableware including plates, bowls, trays and cutlery which are designed to be used once or a limited number of times before being thrown away, including bulk-packs. | Plastic bowls made with attached lids. Plastic lined paper alternatives | Reusable tableware, paper, cardboard or bamboo alternatives |
| Plastic straws
|
Plastic straws are thin tubes used to suck liquid into the mouth made wholly or partly of any type of plastic including degradable, biodegradable, and compostable plastics; not designed or intended for reuse. | To stop the use of plastic straws. | We will work with the disability community before regulations are made to ensure there will be access to plastic straws for those that need them | No straw, reusable metal, bamboo or silicon straw, edible straw or paper straws |
| Non-home compostable produce labels
|
A non-compostable produce label made from plastic is a label on fruit or vegetables sold in New Zealand, and made partly or primarily of plastic which is not certified as home compostable. | To stop the use of compostable produce labels that are unable to be composted at home. |
Produce labels used for exported produce. Imports are exempt until mid-2025. The label’s adhesive may be industrially compostable until mid-2025, when it will need to be home compostable.
|
Home compostable label or no label |
| Material/item |
Description |
Common examples | Intended policy | Not in scope or possible exemptions | Potential alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
All other 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.
|
Some biscuit trays and containers | To stop the use of food and beverage packaging that is primarily made from polyvinyl chloride sold either full or empty. | Not applicable |
PET and Polypropylene plastics, which are recyclable Other alternatives may include glass, cardboard or reusable/refillable packaging |
|
All other 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.
|
Yoghurt and some dairy pottles | To stop the use of food and beverage packaging that is primarily made from rigid polystyrene packaging sold either full or empty. | Not applicable |
PET and Polypropylene plastics, which are recyclable Other alternatives may include glass, cardboard or reusable/refillable 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.