Local government is adding its voice to calls for a compulsory levy on plastic shopping bags.
LISTEN ABOVE: Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith speaks to Mike HoskingÂ
A remit's been passed at Local Government New Zealand's annual conference, requesting the Government impose the levy at the point of sale.
President Lawrence Yule is welcoming a new initiative to trial bins in stores for people to return soft plastics.
But he said it doesn't go far enough.
"I think a lot of local government people are concerned about the harm to the environment, the wastage, and the view was if we put a levy on it would discourage usage."
Green Party waste spokesperson Denise Roche said a levy on the bags would be the first step to getting rid of them, and even a small fee would make a big difference.
"Even a 10 cent levy will change people's buying behaviour. That's what we've already seen with places like Pak'N'Save and the Warehouse."
But the mayor of Palmerston North said it's up to the government to introduce a levy on plastic bags.
Grant Smith said a levy in Ireland reduced usage by 90%.
He said the problem affects local councils as they end up dealing with the bags in landfills and recycling centres.
"We are now just asking them to do something about it."
"We've had the debate at a local government level, and now it's very much up to Parliament and probably Treasury to figure out how we do it"
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