New World is asking customers to vote on whether to keep plastic bags free - or to introduce a five or 10 cent charge for each bag. The supermarket chain said if customers vote to pay for bags, it will give the proceeds away to a variety of community and environmental causes including Seacleaners, who work to remove rubbish from New Zealand waterways. New World customers can submit a vote online at www.bagvote.co.nz from today through to midnight on October 8. Seacleaners Captain Hayden Smith, who was voted Local Hero in 2017, said "every day we see the effect of improper use and disposal of plastic bags in our waterways." "We hope that New Zealanders make the simple change to using more cloth reusable bags, and accept a charge for plastic bags if they absolutely need one."

Source: Otago Daily Times September 14, 2017 09:00 UTC