There are three substantive parts to the debate. The first is make ‘em bio-degradable. There’s a polymer additive that degrades the plastic and leaves no harmful residues. Interestingly, starch-based bags touted as a substitute are 400% more expensive, lack strength and emit methane. Bummer.

Then there’s the charge-a-levy brigade. It’s a strong argument. By charging 10 cents a bag Bunnings Australia slashed bag consumption up to 95% across 176 stores. Commendable. But who benefits from the income stream? The stores? Or charities? This has fired up a separate debate right here in New Zealand.

The two arguments ignore the real issue. It’s up to us. To not use plastic bags. To take our own (bio-degradable naturally) canvas sacks to the supermarket. It is not a retailer or government responsibility to sort this problem through policy, it’s up to us. We hold the power. And any argument against this position raises the real issue cleverly camouflaged in this debate. What happened to self-responsibility?