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Shopping with plastic bags - Source: ONE News -
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The power of the consumer has reigned again as New World and Four Square stores in Auckland stop charging for plastic bags.
From Friday the five cent charge has been dropped by Foodstuffs.
This just after customer feedback in Wellington pressured the company there to drop the fee.
Foodstuffs Auckland GM Murray Jordan says the charge saw usage of bags drop by 12 million over the last month.
He says they will continue to promote the use of reusable bags.
Murray Jordan refused to comment on the ratio of people who supported the charge compared to those who complained.
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei is very disappointed.
She says part of the reason you have a price on a waste product is to make sure the cost of dealing with it is borne by the user.
What do you think of the plastic bag levy? Has Foodstuffs made the right decision? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.
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Post new commentsiping said on 2009-09-04 @ 13:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
Most of these comments just serve to illustrate how woefully ignorant and small minded NZ people are. Do you really think this country is so clean? Wrong, it was but not now.Many countries have a blanket ban or charge for bags, Sth Aust, China, it is a global problem, not just a tiny village in a pacific country, and NZ is part of the globe and part of the problem.Just a lazy selfish group of people with their heads in the sand, get out of your hole NZ, come into the 21st century
jl555 said on 2009-09-04 @ 12:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
While 5 cents might get your attention and make you think briefly about the fact that using plastics has an impact on the environment it isn't a sufficient amount to actually counter the damage done to our planet by the production and use of each of those plastic bags. Eliminate the plastic bags altogether and pressure the manufacturers to eliminate or modify their packaging.
Rustie1 said on 2009-09-04 @ 12:02 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am disgusted that a good environmental practice has been stopped so quickly. Soon New Zealand's 'Clean Green' slogan and image will only be used as an ironic joke! As an alternative maybe Foodstuffs should try GIVING 5 cents per bag saved to those who actually care about the country? Julie
MysticCradle said on 2009-09-04 @ 11:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
We live in Taranaki, to have our recycling picked up, we are required to put it in plastic shopping bags. When I ran out of plastic bags I naturally put my recycling in the rubbish. For the sake of a few free plastic bags per person we must look at how much we are recycling with them. And how much waste are we creating with reusable bags that don't actually last that long???
Kereama said on 2009-09-04 @ 10:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
The intention was there, but not the sincerity. If the supermarkets really want to push for sustainability, they'd pressure manufacturers to use more responsible packaging of their products instead of simply stinging their customers at checkout. Many of the items those same supermarkets happily stock, are completely over-packaged. I wouldn't have a problem with the charge for plastic bags if I believed it was really for the environment, and not just a money-making scheme.