Strong demand for plastic bag levy

Mayors from across New Zealand have combined their voices to demand a plastic bag levy.

More than 90 per cent of New Zealand city and district mayors have signed an open letter, calling on central government to impose a plastic bag levy, or set aside and let them take up the reins.

It is a powerful show from local authorities to central government, which has shown no real movement on the issue, despite strong public support for action.

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has sent the letter to Associate Environment Minister Scott Simpson.

It follows revelations that a third of turtles and seabirds that washed up on New Zealand’s shores had plastic in their stomachs.

A petition recently launched by a group of school students had also reached over 15,000 signatures.

Signed by 65 mayors and council chairmen and chairwomen, the letter builds on a previous show of support from the 2015 LGNZ Conference, when 89 per cent of councils supported a levy.

‘‘The experience of those in local government is that plastic bags make a considerable impact on local environments and communities bear the environmental and financial burden,’’ an LGNZ spokesman said.

She said international experience had shown levies were effective in Denmark, Ireland and China, where they resulted in a dramatic reduction in plastic bag use.

The letter was launched in June by Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, and supported by Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Dunedin’s Dave Cull.

Lester said councils were at the coalface, and saw the impact of plastic waste first-hand.

‘‘The fact that almost every mayor in New Zealand – and the majority of regional council chairs – have spoken up about plastic bags, and the fact that we have a united view about the solution to this problem, sends a very strong message about how big an issue this is,’’ he said.

Retail NZ, which represents 4200 New Zealand businesses, also sent a letter to Simpson recently, calling for a levy.

Lester said it was ‘‘a unique situation’’ for retailers to call for greater regulation.