New Zealand is joining a growing list of countries attempting to get rid of single-use plastic shopping bags.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the decision on Friday, and said the ban was necessary to “safeguard New Zealand’s clean, green reputation.”

Retailers nationwide seemed to agree, and were quick to voice their support after the announcement, a stark contrast to the recent furor in neighboring Australia over a similar plastic bag ban.

There, plans by major retailers to phase out single-use plastic bags caused outrage, and even violence towards a checkout worker whose neck was grabbed by an angry customer, local media reported.

Facing public and media pressure, major Australian supermarket chain Coles announced last week it would give plastic bags away indefinitely for free. After this sparked more outrage from those concerned about the environment, Coles backtracked the following day, announcing customers would again have to pay a fee for plastic bags.

There haven’t been many signs of resistance so far in New Zealand, said associate environment minister Eugenie Sage.

Still, they’re not taking any risks. The process will begin with a consultation period, during which people can submit concerns and suggestions online.

“We’re listening to New Zealanders who want us to take action on this problem,” Ardern said in her statement. “We need to be far smarter in the way we manage waste and this is a good start.”