Zero fines for bag-providers

doing this, and plastic bags are not part of our future’, and you need to push people hard on it.

‘‘I was hoping the Government would be more collaborative with these businesses, and then be more serious with their policing with this as time goes on.’’

The Ministry for the Environment has received 308 complaints from the public about 149 retailers.

‘‘Coming in to next year, it would be great to see them being more strict,’’ Morrison said.

‘‘It may be that they have to prosecute someone as an example. It sounds harsh, but that might be the way to get the message out to people.’’

Information from the ministry says clothing stores were the worst offending sector still providing plastic bags, at 119 complaints from the public.

That was followed by a category including department stores, hair salons, pharmacies and games retailers at 63 complaints. Takeaway shops using bags amounted to 35 complaints, cafes and restaurants 34 and supermarkets 17 complaints.

Gift stores accounted for 14 complaints, dairies and convenience stores 14 and local markets caused six complaints.

Overall, New Zealanders had really got behind the ban, Morrison said.

A ministry spokeswoman said it wanted the public to continue to report retailers supplying bags.

‘‘Community reports play a vital role in assisting us to identify potential non-compliances and we will follow up all reports received.’’

To prosecute, the ministry needed plenty of information from several sources to prove allegations, she said.

‘‘There is no ‘one-size fits all’ response to non-compliance: the choice of approaches and regulatory tools depends on circumstances.’’