Niue latest to introduce plastic bag ban

Niue is the latest Pacific nation to implement a ban on single-use plastic bags.

The ban began this week, however there will be a transition period where existing stocks must be used by 1 June.

Plastic shopping bags litter roadsides, add to excess rubbish in the community, and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

To combat that the government has imposed a Prohibition Order after receiving Cabinet approval in February.

The Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in response to the ban by placing signs outside the main shopping areas, encouraging people to use cloth or re-usable shopping bags.

Niue Tourism has also distributed reusable shopping bags to local villages.

Over the next few months the two bodies will join with the Ministry of Natural Resources in kicking off various initiatives to address waste management.