Mayors lobby for levy on plastic bags
Mayors are calling for a nationwide plastic bag levy and say supermarket bans are not enough.
Major supermarket chains Countdown and New World have pledged to ban single-use plastic bags by the end of 2018.
But Local Government New Zealand president Dave Cull said a mandatory levy would ‘‘accelerate their demise’’.
Cull said it was excellent to see the industry moving in the right direction, but the levy that mayors called for in July would ultimately phase out all plastic bags.
‘‘It’s not just supermarkets that use plastic bags and we think a compulsory levy would help consign them to history,’’ Cull said.
‘‘This is not just about the bags themselves; it’s also about the behaviour of us all as consumers. When it comes to waste reduction, we all need to think more about what we use and its impact once we’re finished with it.’’
Cull said there was no downside to eliminating plastic bags and the proceeds from the levy could go to waste minimisation projects.
‘‘I’m not sure how a levy would be collected. The logistics of that will have to be worked out.
‘‘There are plenty of international examples where life without plastic shopping bags has continued without drama. It’s time we followed suit.’’
Retail NZ general manager Greg Harford agreed government action was needed.
‘‘It’s important that any solution regarding plastic bags is universal and applies to all retailers.
‘‘Many businesses in the retail sector are trying hard to reduce their environmental impacts and Government leadership through regulation is still required to ensure there is a clear approach.’’