Published Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Alex Attwood is launching a public consultation on plans to introduce a bag levy in Northern Ireland.
It's one of a number of money-generating measures that were outlined in the Stormont budget last year, and is due to be introduced by April 2013.
In the Republic of Ireland a charge of 22 cents is payable for most plastic bags, meanwhile shoppers in Wales will be charged 5p on single use carrier bags from October 2011.
"We have to set a rate somewhere between that, that covers as many bags as possible," Mr Attwood told UTV.
"In the Republic of Ireland, when they introduced a levy some ten years ago, it reduced usage within a year by 90%. Those are the sorts of things we should get our head around."
The minister says over 200 million bags are used here yearly. He explained that, as well as having direct environmental advantages, bringing in the tax would "symbolise a change of attitude".
"The aim of this charge is to both reduce bag usage and at the same time raise revenue that would be used to provide funding for the environment and other government priorities," he said.
"This is a green initiative. It can symbolise a change of attitude, a change in culture, a change for the better.
"My department is about environmental justice, protection of our world, green jobs, a green future and recognising our built and natural heritage as central to our economic potential."
Mr Attwood says he has not yet decided on a final figure at which to set the tax.
The public consultation runs from July 20 to October 12.