New Zealand ’s ban on plastic bags , which allows the use of thin , single - use bags but permits provision of reusable carriers , went into effect on 1 July . Over 80 countries have now implemented similar bans . Companies that violate the ban can face fines of up to NZD100,000 ( $ 67,000 ) . However , the legislation is expected to have little practical impact as the country ’s major supermarkets have already outlawed the bags voluntarily . The New Zealand government is also pledging NZ40 m to research ways of reusing plastic waste , rather than sending it overseas to landfill .
New Zealand’s ban on plastic bags, which prohibits the use of thin, single-use bags but permits provision of reusable carriers, came into effect on 1 July. Over 80 countries have now introduced similar bans. Companies that break the ban could face fines of up to NZD100,000 ($67,000). However, the legislation is expected to have little practical impact as the country’s major supermarkets have already outlawed the bags voluntarily. The New Zealand government is also pledging NZ40m to explore ways of reusing plastic waste, rather than sending it overseas to landfill.