Single-use plastic bags have been officially banned in New Zealand. The ban applies to plastic bags that are 70 microns in thickness – new or unused – have carry handles, are provided for carrying sold goods, and are made of bio-based materials such as starch. It also covers bags made of plastics that are degradable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable. The ban on compostable bags may be lifted if they become ‘easier’ to home-compost.
Bangladesh passed the first bag ban in 2002, giving the lie to the argument against bans and taxes because they disproportionately harm poor nations and poor people, who rely on free, inexpensive and sturdy sacks to carry goods and store belongings.
Kenya has the strictest penalties for bag use, with manufacturers, importers, distributors and users facing up to $38,000 in fines or four years in prison. The punitive penalties were introduced to try to curb “bag cartels” that smuggle illegal plastic bags from neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania.
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Single-use plastic bags have been officially banned in New Zealand. The ban applies to plastic bags that are 70 microns in thickness – new or unused – have carry handles, are provided for carrying sold goods, and are made of bio-based materials such as starch. It also covers bags made of plastics that are degradable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable. The ban on compostable bags may be lifted if they become ‘easier’ to home-compost.
Bangladesh passed the first bag ban in 2002, giving the lie to the argument against bans and taxes because they disproportionately harm poor nations and poor people, who rely on free, inexpensive and sturdy sacks to carry goods and store belongings.
Kenya has the strictest penalties for bag use, with manufacturers, importers, distributors and users facing up to $38,000 in fines or four years in prison. The punitive penalties were introduced to try to curb “bag cartels” that smuggle illegal plastic bags from neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania.