Publicity bags smart plastic tactics

Takeway opts for paper bags for curries in spite of spills and leaks

The Auckland Indian restaurant that cut handles off its plastic bags to get around the new ban has switched to paper bags.

The ban came into effect on Monday, but plastic bags without handles and those that have already been used are exempt.

Paradise Indian Takeaway, a popular biryani restaurant on Sandringham Rd, had continued to give customers their takeaways in plastic carrier bags with the handles cut off.

Owner Rafi Mohammed told the Herald on Wednesday it was a temporary measure to clear remaining stock, expected to take about three weeks, before transitioning to environmentally friendly options.

But yesterday Mohammed

said the restaurant would now use paper bags.

“We fully support the ban, it is good for the environment and our future.

“We were always going to change over, we were just clearing some stock while we waited for our new bags.”

Mohammed said the remaining stock would likely be used as bin liners.

The initiative to cut off the handles has drawn both support and outrage from the public, and even inspired the owner of a takeaway shop in West Auckland, who says he would follow suit to keep within the plastic ban law.

The man, who did not want to be identified, said his business had taken a hit since the ban came into effect on Monday.

“We sell a lot of curries and dishes with sauces, and customers complain about them tearing [through the containers] from the steam or spills,” he said.

“On Tuesday, our business was down maybe 30 per cent because people now buy less when they don’t have a bag to carry them in.”

He said the Herald’s report on the Sandringham shop made him “rethink”.

He would now cut off the handles from his plastic bags instead of dumping them, he said.

The move to get around the plastic bag ban has had mixed reactions on social media.

We sell a lot of curries and dishes with sauces, and customers complain about them tearing [through the containers] from the steam or spills. Food shop owner

Photo / Supplied The Paradise Indian restaurant and takeaway in Sandringham is now using paper bags after a plastic bag ban was introduced on Monday.