Retailers are being urged to avoid binning their left-over plastic bags.

The ban on single-use plastic bags comes into effect today, meaning it's now illegal for retailers to sell or give customers single-use shopping bags.

The ban means that shops can be fined up to $100,000 for failing to do so.

Some of the country's biggest retailers have waited until the last minute to make the shift away from plastic.

Wasteminz spokesperson Jenny Marshall told Mike Hosking most people seem to be on board with the ban.

"People have realised it is unsustainable the way we are consuming, and banning single use plastic bags is a way to start."

Marshall says that the ban is great, though people should have a choice to simply refuse them. 

She thinks that we can all work together to get rid of plastic. 

"By making one small step, this is the start of a journey where we think about what we are using."

Auckland Council Programme Director of Waste Solutions Parul Sood says retailers shouldn't just send their excess bags to landfill.

She says it's still legal for retailers to donate the bags as long as they are used as bin liners and not carry bags.

Alternatively, they could approach community food banks or local animal welfare centres, who may use the bags to dispose of pet litter.