What you need to know: Latest single-use plastic bans

As of 1 July, the following items were banned in Aotearoa:

Some exemptions apply. For example health and disability services are still allowed to use plastic straws to help patients drink and fruit and veggie labels can be made from compostable bio-plastic. But otherwise these items have now been phased out for general commercial use.

These bans are the latest in a series of government tranches aimed at moving Aotearoa towards a low-waste circular economy. They follow the October 2022 bans, which included:

The good news is that there are more sustainable, more easily recycled alternatives available for all of these products. Take a look at our reusable totes and kitchen essentials for lots of sustainable options.

Visit the Ministry for the Environment’s website for more information and resources about plastic phase-outs.