Woolworths stores in St George and Sutherland Shire and across the nation have stopped providing free single-use plastic bags as of today.
It’s estimated 3.2 billion single-use plastic bags will be removed from circulation as a result of the move.
Woolworths Group chief executive Brad Banducci said it was a landmark day for the business, customers and the community.
“From the beginning, we felt strongly that this was the right thing to do and we’re really pleased to see customers are behind the change as well.
“We are proud to say that from now on, single-use plastic bags are gone from our stores, for good,” he said.
“What we’re trying to do with this change is encourage more customers to bring their own reusable bags when shopping, so we can prevent plastic bags from reaching our waterways and reduce the overall production of plastics.”
According to Woolworths, 74.7 per cent of their customers supported the change in a recent survey.
Local Woolworths operations manager, John Saunders said it may take some time for shoppers to form new habits, which is why stores have been working hard to get the message out to local customers to remember to bring their own bags over the past few months.
“Putting ‘reusable bags’ at the top of your shopping list, keeping a couple in the car or leaving a post-it note on the fridge are some simple tricks that could work as a reminder.”
Alternative options will be in place for shoppers with a new 15 cent reusable bag which is made from at least 80% recycled plastic.
There is also an emergency foldable bag and the Woolworths Bag for Good™ which are available for 99 cents.
ALDI are long-time supporters of the cause and don’t sell single-use plastic bags. Harris Farm Markets stores also swapped plastic bags for paper bags several months ago.
Coles will also stop supplying single-use plastic bags from July 1.
The NSW Government announced in the State Budget yesterday that it will commit $70 million to improve waste management in response to China’s National Sword Policy, which has an impact on Australia.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority’s website states: “China was a large importer of recyclable materials, accepting more than 30 million tonnes of waste from all over the world every year. Australia alone sent 1.25 million tonnes of recycled material to China in 2016-17.
“At the start of January 2017, however, China began to stringently enforce restrictions on the importation of recycled materials under its National Sword policy.”
What to use instead of plastic bags to line your bin and pick up dog poo
With Woolworths kicking off its ban on Wednesday and Coles on July 1, National Plastic Bag Campaign co-founder Jon Dee has some tips to help shoppers adjust.
What can I use instead to line my bins?
- Rubbish can be put straight into bins, which should be washed every few weeks
- Food and compostable items can go in compost bins, with recyclables into recycling bins
- People who live in flats can wrap food and compostable items in newspaper before placing in a bin
- Smelly rubbish like prawn shells can be wrapped in newspaper and frozen until rubbish collection night
- Newspaper can also be used to line bathroom bins
What can dog owners use to clean up droppings?
- A good alternative is empty bread bags as they are made of thicker plastic
What do I use to pack my supermarket shopping in?
- Bring reusable bags to the shops
- For the first few weeks leave the bags on the front seat of the car as a reminder to take them into the supermarket
- Woolies and Coles will sell reusable bags priced from 15 cents in store
- Woolies online shoppers will be able to buy reusable plastic bags for $1 per order, or pay $3.50 for a crate-to-bench home delivery service
- Coles online shoppers will have their goods delivered for free in crates, or pay 15 cents for reusable bags
