took a big leap forward<\/a> with proposed new laws to tackle single-use plastics.<\/p>\nBans on plastic straws, cutlery, plates and cotton buds are expected to be adopted early next year.<\/p>\n
The European Commission is also planning to place significant restrictions on giveaway plastic food containers and cups.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the New Zealand Government is still umming and erring about banning single use plastic bags other countries are surging ahead,\u201d says Emily Hunter, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace NZ.<\/p>\n
In addition The EC is looking at a deposit system for plastic drink bottles.<\/p>\n
It follows moves by the United Kingdom to eliminate carrier bags and food packaging, while Taiwan announced earlier this year the most far reaching ban on single use plastic in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy comparison here in Aotearoa we\u2019re lagging behind – just doing the bare minimum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Greenpeace is urging the Government to develop a plastic pollution strategy like the UK and the EU.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt needs to begin with a ban on shopping bags, moving onto the other single use plastic offenders like straws and cutlery and then setting up a nationwide container deposit scheme for drink bottle collection.\u201d<\/p>\n
Up to 12.7 million metric tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean every year – that\u2019s the equivalent of one garbage truck every minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the urgency and scale of the problem, there\u2019s an opportunity for New Zealand to become a world leader and demonstrate the strategic vision required to tackle the plastic crisis, says Hunter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe time to act is now.\u201d<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n
Contacts:
\nEmily Hunter, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Aotearoa NZ
\nEmily.Hunter@Greenpeace.org +64 (022) 059 6266<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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