The New Zealand government continues to make major changes to the way single use plastics are used as they continue to drive a reduction in waste.
This follows the 2019 ban on plastic shopping bags, with a programme underway to phase out hard-to-recycle items which end up in landfill.

The next stage, which kicks-in on 1 July 2023, includes the phase out of pllastic produce bags (plant-based, biodegradable and compostable plastic are included in the ban), however, prepackaged produce is not included.

Of particular interest to the horticulture sector is produce stickers for domestically-produced fruit and vegetables in New Zealand which are required to be compostable by 1 July 2023 (the glue is not required to be home compostable until July 2025), while imported produce will need to have compostable stickers by mid-2025.

Compostable stickers on produce exported from New Zealand are not included in the regulations. In addition, retailers can no longer sell or distribute other targeted plastics including straws, plates, bowls, and cutlery, with a few exceptions such as for medical use.