Disappointment at fall back on charging for bags

Press Release 1/9/09

Huge Disappointment on the Fall Back of environmental charging for bags

Kiwi Plastic Bag Concern expressed huge disappointment about the Foodstuff’s decision to stop charging for plastic bags in Wellington New World stores. After many years of social movement, New Zealanders were happy about the real changes to reduce plastic bag waste. Foodstuffs finally decided to start a charging policy at all of its stores; however, it stopped after just 3 weeks’ in Wellington stores This is despite achieving a 50% reduction in plastic bag usage nationwide in just 3 weeks.

Convener of Kiwi Plastic Bag Concern Mr. Angus Ho, thinks it’s a real fall back for the environmental movement in New Zealand. Mr. Ho is just back from a trip to Hong Kong where he witnessed the implementation of plastic bag levy of HK$50cents (NZ$10cents). This was implemented in July 2009 after 8 years of lobbying and quickly achieved an 85% reduction of plastic bag usage compared with before the levy. The Hong Kong government also claims the levy is a success.

“Foodstuffs make us feel very disappointed, for all New Zealanders and the environment, we have achieved some great progress in reducing waste and changing daily habits but now they are falling back, it is a shame.” Mr. Ho said.

“There is no reason why Foodstuffs cannot make a good job if they have good training and education for their customers and staff. The Warehouse and the shopping city of Hong Kong have demonstrated this works. From what we have seen the Foodstuffs supermarkets have implemented the charge well and I think they should strengthen the education and promotion rather than falling back!”

“The Packaging Council reported a 22% reduction of plastic bags which took 5 years to achieve. It is very outdated strategy for a business body to keep “protecting” their profit at the expense of the environment and society. Other countries business sectors already take a proactive role to plan and act in an environmentally friendly way which benefits society and ensures long term profit.” Mr Ho said.

“Once again, it shows the voluntary approach is not working. If the National government is not able to ensure voluntary approach work, they should use their power in Waste Minimization Act to introduce a levy. I hope the government can do real thing to keep “Clean and Green” image of New Zealand and evaluate their environmental policy strategy.” Mr. Ho said.

“We will spread the word to all our supporters in New Zealand, and encourage them to boycott all the supermarkets including all Progressive and Foodstuffs in Wellington. We suggest people buy their food from vegetable markets and local stores rather than non-responsible giant enterprise.” Angus Ho said.

Kiwi Plastic bag concern is a alliance established in 2006, formed by different concern organizations including Golden Bay Bag Ladies, No Plastic bag NZ, Green teens, the bagsNOT team (www.bagtax.org.nz) etc, and Angus Ho, successfully held “No Plastic Bag Day” in Hong Kong with 39 chains, and lobbied government to introduce the plastic bag levy.

ENDS

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