@Pumpedd:

 

This government would like to ban everything including men.

 

This comment is out of line. It does not belong here.

Batman: Nothing wrong with going off topic once in a while, I'm guilty of suggesting banning alcohol and cigarettes in the same vein

 

It is not even going off topic. 

Batman: Why shouldn't we ban alcohol and cigarettes at the same time? They kill people.

 

larknz:

 

Batman: Why shouldn't we ban alcohol and cigarettes at the same time? They kill people.

 

We're not worried about killing people, only sea life

 

oh i see, my dreams of a turbocharged V8 upon winning the lottery is still alive!

Received via email this morning.

Couldn't see this posted anywhere, but might have missed it, so apologies if it's already known. Important bit in bold, but have posted email text in it's entirety for context/clarity.

Hi Stu,

 

From Monday 3rd September we will stop using single-use plastic carrier bags at your store. And by the end of 2018, they’ll be gone from checkouts and online shopping at all Countdown stores across New Zealand.

Why?
Doing this means we’re taking around 350 million single-use plastic carrier bags out of circulation, each year!

 

What does this mean for you?
All online orders will be packed into paper bags.

 

We trialled a number of alternatives for online shopping and think paper bags are the best option we currently have available. They’re recyclable, can break down easily in marine environments and you don’t need to return them to the store. You can find out more here.

 

If you do come in-store to shop we’d love it if you brought your own bags - but if you forget, don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of options available at checkout.

 

Regards,
Countdown Online Shopping

Good one Countdown. "We're increasing carbon emissions four fold but hey, we saved some dolphins and most people aren't informed enough to realise it's actually worse for the environment, so we look pretty awesome!"

Workmate who exclusively uses online shopping found that a few weeks ago. And voiced their concerns online with many others :)

But it's OK.. we we'll see less plastic bags in bushes or tumbleweeding the carpark..

Oblivian:

 

Workmate who exclusively uses online shopping found that a few weeks ago. And voiced their concerns online with many others :)

 

 

 

But it's OK.. we we'll see less plastic bags in bushes or tumbleweeding the carpark..

 

Less plastic bags in the bushes only to be replaced by paper bags

Countdown takes chicken that is already packaged in purpose designed biodegradable packaging. And then repacks it into non recyclable plastic packaging.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/106702507/holy-chicken-countdown-wraps-plantbased-packaging-in-plastic 

So much for trying to reduce unnecessary plastic waste.

My opinion is supermarkets do some greenwashing to save money and there are some very good lobbying going on.

freitasm:

 

My opinion is supermarkets do some greenwashing to save money and there are some very good lobbying going on.

 

Agree

Handle9: That was fairly predictable.

It'd be nice to keep politics in the politics forum but I guess some people can't help themselves.

It's been made political, and it's almost as much that, as it is a "green" issue. I don't see anything wrong with the political side being touched on. 

If this Government cared as much about the environment as it claims to, then it would ban smoking cigarettes because there are several good studies that show that cigarette butts are considerably more harmful than either plastic straws OR plastic bags. 

And it's happening. 

 

Associate Minister for the Environment, Eugenie Sage today confirmed the mandatory phase out of single-use plastic shopping bags in New Zealand, to come into effect around the middle of next year.

 

This announcement follows a five week public consultation process, where 92 per cent of submitters supported the proposed mandatory phase out.

 

“The clear majority of people who responded to the consultation supported a nationwide phase out of single-use plastic bags, and many called on the Government to act quickly to make this change,” said Eugenie Sage.

 

“Government has carefully considered the full range of views put forward, and it’s now time to take action as a step towards addressing plastic pollution.

 

“Single-use plastic bags often end up polluting our precious coastal and marine environments and cause serious harm to marine mammals, sea-birds and other marine life.

 

“Many retailers and individuals have already stopped using single-use plastic bags and recent research shows 50 per cent of New Zealanders now say they always bring reusable bags when shopping.

 

“This change will be difficult for some people, and I acknowledge the impact on retailers, as well as local manufacturers and importers of plastic bags. For this reason, and to meet World Trade Organisation requirements, the phase out will have a six month implementation period, despite calls for a shorter timeframe.

 

“Plastic waste is polluting our land, lakes and rivers, sea coast and oceans. Single-use plastic is a big part of the problem, with plastic bags among the most common items found in beach clean-ups in New Zealand.

 

“We must take action, and this Government’s decision to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags is the first step. This will apply to all retailers.

 

“We are including bags under 70 microns, with the exception of lightweight bags made of synthetic fabric and designed for multiple use over a long life. Degradable plastic bags will also be included, which covers oxo-degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastic bags. 

 

“New Zealand recently signed up to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment – a global pledge to address the root causes of plastic pollution.

 

“I have also set out a work programme to tackle our wider waste issues, which includes expanding the waste disposal levy to all landfills, improving our national data on waste and resource recovery, investing more strategically in infrastructure and innovation to support resource recovery, and developing a national circular economy strategy to design waste out of the system,” Eugenie Sage said.

 

Submissions and a summary of submissions from the public consultation can be found at mfe.govt.nz/plasticbags

 

The exact date for the ban to come into effect will be known once regulations are considered by Cabinet in December.