Plastic bags ban

Vanuatu banned single-use plastic shopping bags, polystyrene takeaway boxes and plastic straws at the start of the month.

The government is currently looking at what further restrictions could be applied.

The RESCCUE project in north Efate has been working on ways to minimise and manage waste and has helped prepare the community for the ban.

Vanuatu's foreign minister says the programme's upcycling innovations like plastic 'bottle bricks' may be needed for stage two of the ban which could include single-use items like shampoo bottles.

This move was sparked by an environmental field study report that revealed plastic litter was having a damaging impact on the ocean waters around the main island of Efate.

Head of Maritime and Ocean Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Toney Tevi said, from the report, the government and council of ministers worked together to decide which waste items were most problematic to the coastal and marine environments.

"The report helped us identify that it was plastic bags and takeaway boxes that was the most stressing."

Last year, the Vanuatu Environmental Science Society conducted a coastal clean up and in its survey of litter found underwater, plastic fragments were the highest of the lot.

Chief executive Christina Shaw said banning single-use, non-biodegradable plastic bags will encourage shoppers to use locally made alternatives.