Greenpeace is welcoming New World\u2019s announcement this morning that it will phase out single-use plastic bags by the end of 2018.<\/p>\n
Plastics campaigner, Elena Di Palma, says the decision reflects the power that people have to influence big institutions. <\/p>\n
\u201cLast month, New World gave their customers the opportunity to vote on a number of financial disincentives to using single-use plastic bags, but failed to offer a \u2018Ban the Bag\u2019 option in the poll,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n
\u201cThousands of New Zealanders were outraged and spoke up about what they felt was not a fair poll. New World listened, and this victory demonstrates the power of people standing for what\u2019s right.\u201d <\/p>\n
New World\u2019s announcement means that the two biggest supermarket chains in New Zealand will now be eliminating single-use plastic bags from their supply chain over the next year. <\/p>\n
Last week, competitor Countdown became the first major supermarket in New Zealand to launch a phase-out of single-use plastic bags by the end 2018. <\/p>\n
Countdown says 350 million less plastic bags a year will be taken out of the system due to the policy. A similar number could now be eliminated thanks to New World, says Di Palma. <\/p>\n
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life. In one recent study, one in three turtles found washed up dead on New Zealand beaches had ingested plastic. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor more than a decade, many inspiring groups have worked tirelessly to combat plastic pollution in New Zealand. It\u2019s thanks to their commitment that the issue of single-use plastic bags is now a mainstream concern,\u201d Di Palma says. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow it\u2019s time for us to all get together and call on the new Government to issue a complete ban on single-use plastic bags in New Zealand. <\/p>\n
\u201cRegulatory action gives the best outcome for our oceans and sea life, and will mean a universal approach that is fair for all retailers.\u201d <\/p>\n
A Greenpeace petition addressed to the Government to Ban the Bag has so far raised 50,000 signatures. <\/p>\n
ENDS <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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