[서울=RNX뉴스] 박은경 기자 = The legislation, which was announced in August 2018, came into force on July 1.

The ban prevents companies from supplying single-use shopping bags, while still allowing reusable carriers to be provided.

Shoppers are being encouraged to report retailers that continue to offer plastic bags and officials will perform random checks.

Companies that violate the new law can face up to $67,000 in fines.

The ban is New Zealand's attempt to address the growing concern of plastic pollution, which is estimated to injure or kill more than 100,000 marine mammals a year.

New Zealand’s Environment Minister, Eugenie Sage, hopes the new ban will help start the country’s must needed conversation on recycling.