Countdown supermarkets nationwide will no longer sell packs of single-use plastic straws with immediate effect.
A range of more environmentally friendly alternatives including bamboo, metal and paper straws will be available.
The change is expected to remove 11.6 million straws from circulation.
Countdown’s General Manager Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Kiri Hannifin, says they remain focused on reducing and removing unnecessary plastic.
"Like other plastic and packaging, straws can have a disastrous impact on the marine environment if they end up there. One of the best ways we can reduce that impact is by moving away from selling products that are used once and then thrown away, and by making more reusable and recyclable options available," she said.
"Our single-use plastic carrier bag phase out has shown us that Kiwis are not only ready to adjust how they shop but are already actively doing so."
"We’re continuing to look at where we can make changes in our own brands and are also working with our supplies to see here changes in their packaging may also be possible."
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