Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has introduced legislation into the Senate for the introduction of a 25c levy on plastic bags at retail outlets in an effort to reduce their use.

Senator Brown said the bill gives national follow-through to several states and territories in banning plastic bags.

"Close to 4 billion bags enter Australia's environment every year - and many end up injuring or killing dolphins, whales, seabirds and
land-based mammals," Senator Brown said.

"This is popular legislation and it's time the big parties passed it," Senator Brown said.

The money raised would go into a national environment fund to provide consumer education about environmentally hazardous waste.

Countries that have introduced similar levies include Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Italy, South Africa and Taiwan, as well as some US states.