New Zealand Bans Certain Products Containing Plastic

The regulations ban the manufacture and sale of certain products, which generally contain plastic. The products are the following:

• plastic drink stirrers that are single-use:

• plastic or synthetic cotton buds that are single-use, with some exceptions:

• any product that contains plastic with pro-degradants:

• PVC food trays or containers:

• specified polystyrene packaging for food or drink.

As defined by the Waste Minimisation Act 2008,—

• product includes packaging (and the ban applies whether the packaging is by itself or is being used to package another product); and

• sale includes distribution or delivery, whether or not for valuable consideration.