In New Zealand, single-use plastic shopping bags have been banned and hefty fines will be slapped for businesses that continue to provide them.

Plastic pollution has become a growing global concern, with a million birds and more than 100,000 marine mammals injured or killed every year by becoming entangled in packaging or ingesting it through the food chain.

Environment Minister Eugenie Sage said New Zealanders are proud of our country's clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it.

Under the new rules, thin plastic single-use shopping bags can no longer be supplied -- but the law allows reusable carriers to continue being provided.