Banning single-use plastics is only the beginning if we want to help our marine life survive.

As part of Plastic Free July, Forest and Bird has presented research to Parliament's Environment Committee.

It includes claims seabirds are at most risk in New Zealand waters - due to the fact the country's a breeding ground for a third of the world's seabird species.

Forest and Bird spokesperson Karen Baird says there is "evidence that suggests that the increasing ingestion of plastic by seabirds will reach 99 percent by 2050."

However, it's not just birds who are at risk.

"Estimates have been made that suggest one out of three turtles that are recovered in New Zealand do have plastics in their stomachs or intestines," Baird says.