Opinion: Time to introduce charge on plastic bags

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As I read today's page 4 story on the letter from New Zealand mayors to central government requesting a levy on single-use plastic bags I had a strange feeling of deja vu.

Sure enough, a quick search through our records unearthed an editorial I wrote on this very topic almost two years ago - July 21, 2015.

Back then, local government leaders were also calling for the plastic bag levy.

Yet here we are, in the same position, two years later.

Back then, I shared my experience of living in Ireland and the UK, where no one thought twice about having to pay for a plastic bag at the supermarket. People quickly got used to having a reusable bag or three in their car, in their handbag, at work or by the door, ready to grab as they headed out shopping.

On the rare occasion you forgot and were forced to shell out for a plastic bag (assuming there was just too much to carry in your arms) there was almost a feeling of guilt.

No matter how good our intentions when it comes to being environmentally-friendly, it's all too easy to end up with a kitchen drawer bulging with plastic bags we don't need or want.

Sometimes, humans need a push to do the right thing and as overseas experience shows, that 10c or 20c charge can be just the push we need.

It's time to stop talking about it and make the change.