Plastic Shopping Bags
Plastic bags make up a small proportion of the waste stream but are nevertheless an environmental concern. Plastics New Zealand is working with the Packaging Council of New Zealand to address some of the issues and raise awareness.
We use approximately 800,000,000 plastic bags each year - the majority of which are imported. There are several organisations developing positive ways in which to manage issues within their local communities.
Christchurch City Council for example is collecting plastic shopping bags from the kerbside as part of their recycling collection. (April 2004)
The collected bags are sorted at Recovered Material Foundation paper depot and packed into bales. The bales are sent to Christchurch company which turns the supermarket bags into durable plastic planks suitable for boxing, pallets and fenceposts.
We will be updating this page on an ongoing basis - any comments e-mail info@plastics.org.nz.
