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Plastic cuttlery and containers may be on the way out if a Government proposal succeeds.
Campaigners calling on the Government to ban single-use disposable plastic serviceware for food and drink say it’s crucial local businesses and individuals know how this could affect them.
The call comes after the Government heeded the message and put forward a proposal to ban single-use and hard to recycle plastics back in August.
Multiple plastic serviceware products, including degradable, biodegradable and compostable plastics, have found their way into the list of single-use items suggested to be banned. This includes bowls, plates, straws, stirrers, cutlery, cups, lids and sushi trays.
Takeaway Throwaways campaigner Kate Hall says the proposal has the potential for local hospitality businesses to save money on purchasing single-use items.
“A cafe can spend up to $10,000 a year on single-use coffee cups alone – while less litter will have the chance to line our streets and beaches and find its way into the ocean,” she says.
Ms Hall says furthermore if the proposal comes to fruition all PVC food and beverage packaging will be banned by January 2023. This includes meat trays, soft packaging, takeaway containers and protective casing for confectionery.
Although the Government has yet to detail environmentally friendly alternatives for each item, it is likely part of the solution will be a rise in the use of reusables.
“For example, instead of being handed a flimsy plastic takeaway container when we grab a takeaway curry, we’ll bring in our own container or purchase a container through a deposit return scheme,” Ms Hall says.
She says the world is on track for the flow of plastic into the ocean to triple by 2040. The Government moves are designed to help halt the tide of waste.
To find out more about the proposal and what it could mean for you or your business, and to make a submission, visit https://www.mfe.govt.nz/reducing-impact-of-plastic-on-environment
Submissions close at 5pm on December 4.
