A nationwide campaign to push for a levy on plastic supermarket bags was launched today.
The 'Get Real' campaign wants Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs, owners of New Zealand's largest supermarkets, to charge for plastic bags at their supermarket counters.
Both companies signed the Packaging Accord in 2004 which set a goal of reducing the number of bags used by a fifth (144 million bags) this year. An open letter to the supermarkets can be signed at www.getreal.org.nz.
Sustainable Wanaka general manager Sophie Ward, whose organisation was involved in the campaign, said supermarkets needed to make a real commitment to reducing the number of plastic bags given away each year.
Nearly a billion plastic bags were buried in landfills each year, with others polluting outdoor spaces and being ingested by wildlife, she said.
Progressive Enterprises public affairs manager Bill Moore told NZPA the company had agreed to trim its use of plastic bags by 20 percent by June this year, and was doing its ''utmost to get everyone behind us to reduce plastic bag usage even further''.
''We all want to reduce the number of plastic bags in the environment, and we continue to make good progress towards this goal.''
He said Progressive Enterprises, which owns Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown, trains staff to pack at least seven items into bags where possible, and to ask customers if they want a bag if they are purchasing less than four items.
''Our customers want to reduce their use of bags, but they also like to be able to use them as and when needed,'' he said.
"If the Government were to mandate a charge on plastic bags, we would of course support this move, but we believe voluntary efforts make the most sense.''
Campaigner Angus Ho said experience here and overseas showed having to pay for plastic bags changed people's behaviour.
Plastic bags never completely broke down, Mr Ho said.
"They disintegrate into smaller and smaller pieces, taking over 500 years and ending up as plastic dust in the air and soil.''
In a letter to Mr Ho, Environment Minister Nick Smith said the ministry was investigating the effectiveness and feasibility of a levy on plastic bags.
The 'Get Real' organisers praised The Warehouse, which would introduce a 10 cent levy on plastic bags from April 20.
A survey of 600 Warehouse customers showed 78 percent supported the change, with 85 percent of those affected by trials at stores saying they would choose not to use a plastic bag once the charge applied.
The cash collected from the levy would go to community groups and the bags could be returned to Warehouse stores for recycling.
The Warehouse, along with Mitre 10 and Caltex, also signed the Packaging Accord.
By January this year, 100 million bags had been taken out of circulation as the campaign gained traction.
Bunnings and Borders had their own bag reduction schemes, with Borders reducing usage by 80 percent in one year with a 10 cent levy.
The New Zealand Retailers Association opposed a ban or mandatory tax on plastic bags and rejected calls for New Zealand to follow the South Australian government, which introduced a Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Act on January 1.
The association previously said the industry was on track to reach targets voluntarily, so a ban or tax was not required.
Ireland and Taiwan both reduced plastic bag usage by more than 90 percent through a small levy, 'Get Real' organisers said.
India introduced a fine of 100,000 rupee ($3800) and possible jail time for selling or even carrying a non-biodegradable plastic bag.
An open letter to the supermarkets can be signed at www.getreal.org.nz.
Comments