AUSTRALIA – Australian retailer Woolworths Group has begun to phase out its 15-cent reusable plastic shopping bags in three more states as part of its initiative to eliminate the use of these bags by June.
Over the coming weeks, the supermarket will gradually run down the supply of shopping bags across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania – a move that aims to reduce an estimated 9000 tonnes of plastic waste from circulation annually.
Jeanette Fenske, director of stores at Woolworths Supermarkets, highlighted that the majority (8 out of 10) of their customers already bring their own bags when shopping, and the initiative aims to encourage more shoppers to do so.
The company has already discontinued the 15-cent plastic shopping bags from its stores across ACT, WA, NT, QLD, and SA.
“Having reusable bags on hand has become second nature for many shoppers, and so far, we have seen our customers embrace this change with their usual eagerness to do good for the environment,” said Fenske.
“Bringing your own bags is the best outcome for the environment, and we encourage our customers to keep up the great work,” added Fenske.
“Paper bags will continue to be available for those who forget to bring their own – but ultimately, we want to sell fewer bags altogether.”
The company said the move will see ‘more than 1800 tonnes of plastic removed from circulation annually across the state’.
“The upcoming change across the three states will complete Woolworths’ nationwide transition to remove its 15-cent plastic bags from sale in all stores,” said the company in a statement.
The bags are made out of 80 percent recycled plastics and can be purchased by customers who forget to bring their own bags to the store.
Woolworths said it was assisting customers to prepare for the upcoming change by providing ‘advanced notice and reminders via email, as well as signs in store’.
The paper shopping bag that will continue to be available to customers is designed to be reused, can carry up to 6kg of groceries and can be easily recycled at home through kerbside recycling.
The paper bags are made from at least 70 percent recycled paper and sourced responsibly with FSC or PEFC certifications to support sustainable forest management.
Last year, Woolworths removed single-use plastic cutlery, cups, bowls and plates from its range nationwide, eliminating nearly 2.1 million kilograms of plastic from circulation each year.
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