New Zealand, a country at the forefront against the use of plastic

New Zealandwhich since Saturday became the first country to ban the sale of “fine bags” plastic, is at the forefront in the fight against the use of this polluting material.

This week marks International Day Free of Plastic Bags and New Zealand is one of the countries where there are fewer disposable bags after a campaign against plastic products that began in 2019.

Since Saturday, the New Zealand authorities have banned the use of thin plastic bags, those used to weigh fruit and vegetables, as well as plates and cutlery made of this material, plastic straws and labels attached to food. fresh.

Supermarkets and other stores will offer paper or reusable bags.

Fruit World in Auckland store manager Steve Higgs told Radio NZ that stores have had time to adjust to the new rules.

“We certainly have had plenty of time to migrate to the paper bag option and hopefully the next step is when customers bring their bags,” Higgs pointed out.

New Zealand already banned plastic bags in 2019 and last year did the same with PVC and polystyrene containers and trays and cotton swabs, among other items.

According to the Government, the measure will prevent 150 million fine plastic bags from being thrown away, which is equivalent to 17,000 every hour in the oceanic country.

Starting in 2025, the authorities will ban all other PVC and polystyrene plastic products from the market, including yogurt containers.

The New Zealand government said it will first carry out an educational campaign for businesses to adapt, but that those who break the law face fines of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars (61,300 dollars or 56,000 euros).

Plastics are estimated to represent the 85% of garbage in the oceans and also contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Source: EFE