New Zealand Declares Action Plan to Tackle Plastic Waste Menace

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The New Zealand government released a new report on waste management, aimed at tacking plastic waste. The country has been successful in phasing out single-use plastics following a ban on single-use plastic bags, which came into effect earlier this year.

The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Prof Juliet Gerrard presented the Rethinking Plastics in Aotearoa New Zealand report to the Prime Minister. The report outlines further steps to be taken to advance the country’s fight against plastic waste, in line with the government’s ambitious plans to reduce all forms of waste including plastic.

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According to the report, the country should set its top priority on moving away from single-use packaging and beverage containers made of hard-to-recycle PVC and polystyrene. The use of most commonly used such products like polystyrene meat trays, cups and takeaway food containers must be curbed. The government will ensure the availability of alternatives made of materials like PET, HDPE and polypropylene.

The report highlights the need for stimulating innovation and development of solutions to the soft plastics problem. It also emphasizes on the need for better kerbside collection of recyclables and more efficient labelling scheme for packaging including plastic packaging. Further, it points out the need for urgent implementation of a National Plastics Action Plan in order to ensure the continuity of progress already achieved by the country in its fight against plastic.