Single-use Plastic bags are phasing out, are you ready?

OfficeMax can help you switch to reusable bag options.

Not sure which would suit your business? Contact your OfficeMax Account Manager today or see our popular alternatives below.

.

Here are the basics:

Please visit the Ministry for the Environment website for more details.

.

When is it happening?
Regulations come into force from 1 July 2019

What is considered a single-use plastic bag?

• Made of any type of plastic less than 70 microns in thickness
• Have carry handles
• Are new or unused
• Are provided for the purpose of distributing sold goods
• Includes plastics made from bio-based materials such as starch and plastics that are designed to be degradable, biodegradable or oxo-degradable

What bags are not included in the mandatory phase-out?

• Bags without handles including light-weight 'barrier bags' (e.g. bags without handles used for containing meat or produce)
• Bin liners
• Bags for pet waste
• Bags that form an integral part of a product's packaging (e.g. sealed pouches with handles)
• Bags made from bio-based materials that have not been converted to plastic (e.g. cotton, jute, hemp, paper, flax)
• Long-life multi-use shopping bags made from synthetic fabric between 45 and 70 microns in thickness

What if I have plastic bag stock remaining once the phase out takes effect?

The regulations were made in December but will not take effect until 1 July 2019. This gives retailers six months to use up existing stock before the regulations take effect.

From July 1, any remaining plastic bags held by retailers will not be able to be sold of provided to customers for the purpose of carrying or distributing their sold goods.

Local recyclers and plastics manufacturers may be able to assist with recycling unused new bags. Government strongly recommends against sending surplus bags to landfill.

Information sourced from Ministry for the Environment.

How can we help?

Not sure which reusable bag option is best for you? Our Customer Service Team is here to help.

Fill out the form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.