Wellington, Aug 2 NZPA - Shops that charge customers for plastic bags deserve more government support, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says.

From Monday, Foodstuffs' New World and Four Square supermarkets will charge 5 cents per plastic shopping bag.

Foodstuffs' Pak'n'Save supermarkets already charge for plastic bags.

The Warehouse and Borders already charge 10c per bag.

Dr Norman said the Government should encourage all retailers to reduce pollution from excess packaging.

New Zealand's other major supermarket chain -- Progressive, which runs Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown -- has not yet introduced charges for plastic bags.

The Government should use powers in the Waste Minimisation Act to "ensure that companies that take the lead are not disadvantaged".

"We don't want the good guys to be disadvantaged by other companies freeloading or refusing to do something about their bags."

Dr Norman said some companies may be motivated by the extra money saved by charging for bags but they also faced the risk that their customers would get annoyed and go elsewhere.

The cost of plastic bags was included in prices so there would be a slight reduction, but it was unlikely to be seen by consumers, he said.

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