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New Zealand bans single-use plastic bags

18 Comments
By Silke Struckenbrock

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18 Comments
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Well done, NZ. Let other countries follow suit.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Good on NZ. All the little things add up.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

If you are serious about the problem of plastic waste, you need to go to the source(s). Most comes from China, Indonesia, Africa, etc. Countries where there is basically no recycling, indeed no waste collection at all. 

Africa's actually at the forefront of trying to fix the plastic pbm. Over 30 African countries have already banned plastic bags, bottles etc (Rwanda did it 10 years ago!).

https://www.france24.com/en/20190531-tanzania-latest-african-nation-ban-plastic-bags

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Heh, seeing that post just makes it that much more clear that NZ is doing the right thing!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Attilathehungry: Do you realise that China and Indonesia has been taking and recycling the rubbish form Australia, the US and many other places? Very ignorant comment.

Learn before trying to teach.

Every single country, individually will have little impact; so we should just do nothing? Ignorant.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

To call this plan a drop in the bucket would be generous.

Conservative "logic": If we can't fix a problem in one shot, it's not even worth trying. In fact, we should ridicule those trying as virtue signallers.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

NZ leading the way, once again. It may be a small step, but every little bit helps.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Lawson or 711 needs to be educated on this...a plastic bag for each item, hot, cold etc. quite ridiculous. I refuse ( pardon the pun) any bags offered...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Attilathehungry:  "Studies have shown that a small group of 10 rivers...."

This is exactly why NZ is banning single use plastic bags. Really you need to read a little more and think more logical: because there is so much rubbish in the rivers, the NZ ban is of no account - very logical. Socrates was once asked my he waited so long to teach and he replied: Before teaching one needs to learn.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am made to recycle my trash. How does that trash then get into the ocean? Good place to start the investigation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If only every nation had a PM like NZ the world would be a better place, Give her the Nobel Prize.

For such a small country, NZ has guts. It was NZ that band US nuclear carriers from their ports. If only the rest of the spineless PMs would get some guts.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Blacklabel: short answer is, it doesn't.

The majority is from the third world or developing countries. Studies have shown that a small group of 10 rivers (mostly in Asia) contribute 90% of plastic waste into the oceans. For example, the Yangtse and Ganges Rivers put nearly a million tons of plastic into the ocean per year. The Thames River, about 19 tons. In total, China puts over 12 million tons into the oceans each year. The United States, about 3% of that.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It seems like NZ is trying to lead the world in virtue signalling. Banning such bags is useless. Most are either recycled or reused in first world countries.

If you are serious about the problem of plastic waste, you need to go to the source(s). Most comes from China, Indonesia, Africa, etc. Countries where there is basically no recycling, indeed no waste collection at all. Time and money would be better spend there, but that wouldn't feel as good as self flagellation.

What little is produced in Newzy will have no impact whatsoever.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Not at all Chip. The logic is to spend valuable time and energy in ways that will actually solve the problem. Not waste them on useless gestures. Straw bans, bag bans, are examples of the latter.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

These comments remind me of the old "if it just saves ONE life..." trope used to justify government intrusion into peoples' private affairs.

Plastic bags are a very small and insignificant part of the problem. Bottles, packaging material, styrofoam, wrapping, are all far more prevalent, and all will still be present when the ban on bags is enacted. Actually, the single largest contributor to plastic pollution is from the fishing industry- nets, bouys and the like. Not to mention that plastic bags are very often used and reused either for groceries or trash or carrying wet bathing suits. They are small miracles. Reusable tote bags made of hemp or cotton are breeding grounds for bacteria and disease- who washes them after use? Plus, washing them also has an environmental cost in terms of water use, chemicals from laundry detergent, etc.

The problem is that most third world countries don't have any kind of decent waste disposal. THe majority of used material of all kinds is simply dropped on the ground or into forests/rivers etc. In short, littering. The less glamorous solution is the best, but also the least satisfying.

To call this plan a drop in the bucket would be generous.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

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