Woolworths stores in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania have begun to phase out their 15¢ reusable plastic shopping bags.
As part of Woolworths’ commitment to stop selling the bags nationwide from June, the supermarket will run down stock of the 15¢ reusable plastic shopping bags. The move is expected to see more than 9000 tonnes of plastic removed from circulation annually across the country.
Eight in every 10 Woolworths customers are said to already bring their own bags when they shop. Woolworths is continuing to encourage customers to bring their own bags, rather than buying them in store. The retailer’s paper bags and other reusable bags will remain available to those who need them.
Woolworths has already removed the 15¢ reusable plastic shopping bags from stores across the ACT, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia over the last 12 months.
“We’re excited to have Victoria, NSW and Tasmania complete our national journey to remove the 15¢ plastic shopping bag from all our stores nationwide,” says Woolworths Supermarkets Director of Stores Jeanette Fenske.
“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.
“Bringing your own bags is the very best outcome for the environment, and we encourage our customers to keep up the great work. Paper bags will continue to be available for those who forget to bring their own – but ultimately, we want to sell less bags altogether.
“We’re proud to be the first major supermarket to commit to removing these plastic shopping bags from our stores, and this change is an important step towards more sustainable grocery shopping across the country.”
Woolworths is helping customers to prepare for the upcoming change, providing advanced notice and reminders via email, as well as signs in-store.
