In July, the NSW city flagged a draft policy to reduce single-use plastics by 2023 and on Monday night Wodonga Council followed but brought forward the timeframe by two years.

The policy is a Two Cities One Community tie-in and Albury councillor David Thurley said yesterday it was likely his city would adopt the 2021 mark when a final decision was made.

"It's highly probable, but it's up to nine councillors' votes," Cr Thurley said.

"I'm sure (Greens councillor) Amanda (Cohn) would be happy if we were not waiting until 2023 to get things done."

Cr Cohn did not return The Border Mail's calls yesterday.

Wodonga councillor Kat Bennett said Albury was mandating the phasing out of single-use plastic at council events, while her city was "encouraging" their withdrawal.

Wodonga Council chief executive Mark Dixon said that was aimed at not cruelling traders.

"We are very conscious that some of the events that we run involve some very small businesses, the children's fair would perhaps be a good example," Mr Dixon said.

"In implementing a policy we don't want to put some very small businesses out of business or make them non-financially viable in the short term, what we'd rather do is use the strong encouragement and leading by example to move them towards the position council would like to move them towards."

Councillor Danny Lowe suggested that over time a "tripping point" could apply, with those businesses that have good practices rewarded.

Watching the debate, with her little fingers crossed, was seven year-old Charlie Erlewein, the country's youngest ambassador for Straw No More, a group that wants to eradicate drinking straws.

Earlier in the month at a community forum, Charlie showed councillors a video of a sea turtle choking on plastic.

Councillor John Watson referred to that footage in backing the plastics policy.

"I was actually almost sick in the stomach when we saw the straw being pulled out of the poor turtle," he said.

The policy will apply to council operations and municipal events including official functions, community forums, workshops and parties.

Items covered include any disposable plastic and polystyrene, including balloons, food and drink packaging, cutlery, cleaning items and stationery wrapping.

The recent opening of the revamp of Waites Park in South Albury featured bottled water and balloons, Cr Thurley said under the new policy neither of those things would be approved for use at council occasions.