NSW Labor wants single-use bag plastic ban

NSW Labor has reintroduced a bill to ban the supply of single-use plastic bags after two unsuccessful attempts to get the legislation through the state parliament.

Interim opposition leader Penny Sharpe, who introduced the bill to the upper house on Thursday, says NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia that hasn't banned the bags.

She said popular beaches were being polluted by microplastics and single-use plastic and Labor was concerned about what contaminants swimmers and sea life were being exposed to.

"The time has come for the Liberals and Nationals to take serious action on plastic pollution by first banning single-use plastic bags, and then begin planning to phase out single-use plastic," Ms Sharpe said in a media release.

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean declined to comment.