Say ‘Bags Not’ to plastic bags
A new initiative aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating single-use plastic bags and other plastic waste from our
environment, has launched today.
The Bags Not campaign, which encourages Kiwis to say ‘Bags Not’ to plastic bags and supports them to change their
single-use habits, has already received support from New World and ecostore.
Steve Bayliss, GM Group Marketing Foodstuffs NZ Ltd says, “New World is committed to getting rid of single-use plastic
bags by 2018, and to do this we’re providing the market with long-life reusable bags, expanding soft plastics recycling,
and looking for alternatives for our customers. But, that’s the easy part – we need to help change the habit of a
lifetime.”
Bayliss says it’s important to work with New Zealanders to motivate behaviour change. A key part of this is encouraging
Kiwis to revisit their use of plastic bags. “Bags Not is challenging retailers to take up the call and look at the
alternatives they can offer the customer”, says Bayliss.
Riley Elliott a.k.a the Shark Man, actor Pua Magasiva, artist Dick Frizzell and writer and TV presenter, Jaquie Brown
have got behind the initiative. Jaquie says, “I make a concerted effort to remember to take my reusable bags to the
supermarket, but like many shoppers it’s easy to forget!
“It’s not going to happen overnight, but if we all take responsibility for our own actions starting now, we can
collectively make a significant difference”.
Go Well Consulting and communications agency, Bcg2 are the brains behind ‘Bags Not’. Nick Morrison from Go Well
Consulting says, “Currently, Kiwis use around 1.6 BILLION single-use plastic bags every year. It will take hundreds to
thousands of years for each one of those bags to degrade, creating microplastics as they do.
“In the meantime this has a devastating effect on ecosystems, particularly marine environments. There are relatively
simple solutions available, if every New Zealander is prepared to take ownership of the problem.”
Chairman of Bcg2, James Blackwood says, “We know plastic bags wreak havoc on the environment, but getting people to
change the way they shop overnight is a lot to ask. We believe that education and easy access to alternatives are the
keys to creating a cultural shift.
“Working collaboratively with businesses at the coalface of this issue is the most lasting way to bring that change to
bear. Retailers like New World are proactively addressing the issue, and we want the public to get behind their
initiatives. We think that together we can make a difference, faster, and we are keen for other New Zealand businesses
and organisations to join our movement.”
The Bags Not website, bagsnot.org.nz provides useful information, tips and life hacks to help reduce Kiwis’ reliance on
single-use plastic bags.
ENDS