How many plastic bags do we currently use?

Every year 4 million New Zealanders use 1 billion plastic shopping bags. In comparison, the Republic of Ireland, with a similar population of around 4 million people, use only a tenth the number of plastic bags that we do.

Where can I find out more about Ireland's bag levy policy?

Detailed information is available on the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government Irish Government website. More general information can be found in this ZeroWaste report.

I re-use my plastic shopping bags as bin liners, can I keep doing this?

Yes. Many people re-use a percentage of their supermarket bags as kitchen rubbish bin liners, and doggy-doo bags. You will still be able to buy and reuse plastic bags for these purposes - the bagsNOT campaign aims to introduce a levy, not a ban. What we want to see is a dramatic reduction in the numbers of bags used - not a complete stop on their use. There are some situations where a plastic bag is just too convenient for a 30 cent levy to prevent their use.

Why a levy rather than an education campaign aimed at shoppers?

A levy is simply more effective. Past education initatives such as the 2003 'Reduce your Rubbish' campaign have proven to be okay at raising general awareness but bad at actually changing shopper behaviour. The plastic bag levy is a tried and tested solution - it produces the dramatic results we need if we are to tackle the climate change issue effectively.

How would the funds generated from the plastic bag levy be used?

This money should ideally be set aside for waste reduction research and campaigns. This site and the BagsNOT campaign focus soley on the 'reduce' part of 'Reduce, Re-use. Recycle'. However, there are many valid ways this money could be spent, and it is likely that different political parties will adopt different specific policies around how this money is used.

What are the negative effects of plastic bags on marine life?

In the marine environment plastic bag litter is lethal killing at least 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles every year. After an animal is killed by plastic bags its body decomposes and the plastic is released back into the environment where it can kill again.

More detailed information can be found in the following articles:

'The hazards of persistent marine pollution: drift plastics and conservation islands': a published article by Murray R. Gregory hosted on the 'Royal Society of NZ' webpage.
'Plastic Sea': an article for the upcoming SeaWeek: 4 - 11 March.
'Save our Seas': article from the South African Coastal Information Centre.

How much of a litter problem are plastic bags?

At least 16 million plastic bags end up as litter on our beaches, streets and parks. New Zealand local and regional Governments spend millions a year picking up litter. Not all litter is deliberate. 47% of wind borne litter escaping from landfills is plastic – much of this is plastic bags. In many council areas, plastic bags are the single main contaminant of kerbside recycling.

Is excessive plastic bag useage linked to Climate Change?

Plastic bags are a product of the oil industry, and as such are linked to the climate change issue. This particular climate change issue is easy to address, and by addressing each component of climate change effectively we can make a positive difference. Find out more about climate change and our government's related intitiatives here: www.climatechange.govt.nz.

Is this problem easy to solve?

Very. A tax of 30 cents a bag will dramatically cut plastic bag usage very quickly. This will not cut out plastic bags completely - but that is not the goal of this campaign. What we are aiming for is a similar result to the reduction shown in Ireland after they introduced a plastic bag levy in 2002 - around a 90% reduction.