There are 17 to 30 thousand kilos of litter strewn across beaches. Worldwide, you ask? Nope – we're talking about the Netherlands, a sliver of land covering just 0,008% of the planet’s surface. That’s up to 80 kilos of trash per kilometre of coastline.
Sure, banning single-use plastics (SUP) seems like a mountain of p̶l̶a̶s̶t̶i̶c̶ work, but hey, we’re no quitters. So, let’s dive into the leaps and stumbles of the frontrunner in the fight against plastic: New Zealand.
Last July, New Zealand celebrated their one-year anniversary of the second phase in ending plastic. They kicked it all off with an urgent call to action:
‘The companies which sell [plastic] to us, call it convenience. This outdated, disposable thinking lies at the heart of the problem. We call on the Government to adopt a national action plan to turn the tide on plastic pollution.’
The government listened... mostly. They introduced three phases to ease off plastic:
SUP drink stirrers, SUP cotton buds, PVC food trays and containers, polystyrene take-away packaging, expanded polystyrene food and beverage retail packaging, and plastics with pro-degradant additives.
SUP straws, SUP tableware and cutlery, SUP produce bags, and non-home compostable plastic produce labels.
All PVC and polystyrene food and beverage packaging.
New Zealand has conquered two phases and are hoping to discontinue even more plastic in a third phase. They’ve laid waste to plastic with bans and limitations.
But.
Yes, this is where the proactiveness of New Zealand's government ended. Their push to clean up beaches has been impressive – but what about the single-use plastic bottles? Still there, lurking like a predator.
Hey, New Zealand, let’s be clear, you’re doing a great job, but you do realise that the real culprit is still on the loose, right? Sure, some plastic is useful, but only when it is reusable.
Dopper founder Merijn Everaarts’ inspiration to create our Dopper bottles, was being fed up with seeing so many plastic bottles pollute our planet's shores. Great minds think alike, as New Zealand’s whole movement started by fighting for cleaner beaches.
But now SUP bottles remain in circulation. At least they’re only second to plastic bags as the worst polluter of oceans, hooray? Quite the hollow victory if you ask us.
The bottled water market keeps ruining New Zealand, with the revenue growing from 220,50 million USD in 2022 to 257,50 million USD in 2023, and another estimated 1.1% in 2025. Ridiculous, considering New Zealand’s tap water is safe for consumption.
So, let’s face it, you stopped too soon. Time to go all in, New Zealand.
It took a population pleading with their government for less pollution for anything to happen. And hey, even in Europe, the EU listened to its people’s clamour and brought cleaner water regulations. Your own people can’t be any clearer: we’re all sick and tired of the destruction and waste that plastic leaves behind. Stop letting it destroy our planet.
At least, New Zealand has given an admirable example on how to fight plastic to our own abominable ones. We agree that the government and companies bear the responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you can't help. New Zealand has shown us that people and systems can change, we shouldn’t accept defeat. Next time, turn up your nose at SUP and fight for a reusable bottle.
We get it, it’s not easy to change your ways, but it is possible. When it comes to both New Zealand and Europe, refilling from the tap is simple and safe. There’s no excuse.
To secure those clean beaches, you must eliminate SUP bottles as well. We, as people, have made a stand against the plastic polluting our lives. Now it’s our governments and companies’ turn. The damage is already done, it's time to stop hesitating and start acting.
Thanks,
Dopper