Greens call on the government to reduce plastic bag use

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The Green Party is calling on the government to make a plan to reduce plastic bag use.

A report today from the Ministry for the Environment shows public support for reducing waste from plastic bags, waste spokesperson Denise Roche said.

"The Government should listen to New Zealanders who want to stop the environmental damage caused by plastic bags by making it a priority waste product," said Green Party waste spokesperson Denise Roche.

The Green party supports restricting and ultimately phasing out the using of plastic bags.

"Plastic bags are one threat to our environment we can actually eliminate, but we need Government leadership," Ms Roche said.

"National has not made a single product a priority for waste minimisation in the seven years they have been in Government. Plastic bags should be their first.

"New Zealanders are phasing out plastic bag use in their own lives but if we want to eliminate plastic bag use all together, like 30 other countries have done, the Government needs to act too.