Govt parties at odds over plastic policy

All three parties involved in the new coalition Government favour legislating against single-use plastic bags, but they don’t agree on what that legislation should say.

As yet, there have been no policies announced relating to bags.

In the meantime more and more retailers are making their own moves on plastic, while still calling for Government regulation.

Labour

The Labour Party acknowledged there was a need to see a significant reduction of plastic bags, and recently minted Associate Minister for the Environment Nanaia Mahuta said the party would consider the model rolled out in Britain.

Britain placed a mandatory levy on plastic bags at the point of sale, which applied to large employers, but excluded small businesses such as dairies. All proceeds from the levy are donated to charity and environmental organisations.

‘‘We recognise the strong support for such a measure by the local government sector, and the damaging impact that single-use plastic bags have on our environment,’’ Mahuta said.

Greens

The Greens have had a bill in the ballot for months. Modelled on the British legislation, it would introduce a charge of 15 cents on every bag at the checkout and the money would be collected and used to fund not-for-profit groups involved in cleanups and waste minimisation.

Greens Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage was unable to disclose whether there had been any conversations yet between new coalition Government partners on action against plastic bags.

‘‘Reducing waste is a priority for the Green Party in Government, including action to phase out single-use plastic bags. We support initiatives by supermarkets to reduce their use,’’ she said.

New Zealand First

Speaking before the election, then-New Zealand First MP Denis O’Rourke said the party did not support a statutory levy because it would increase the price of food.

However, O’Rourke said the party would support legislation requiring supermarkets to phase out the use of nonbiodegradable plastic bags within five years of the date of the regulation.

‘‘This will allow time for biodegradable New Zealand-made alternatives to be introduced, such as corn-starch plastic bags, and paper bags produced from recycled materials, along with reusable fabric bags using fibres produced within New Zealand,’’ he said. ‘‘Consumers will be required to dispose of all biodegradable bags as part of their organic waste collected by councils for composting.’’

He said NZ First would also support regulation requiring supermarkets to collect all used non-biodegradable soft plastic to be recycled.