Heads up, shoppers! Woolworths is scrapping 15c reusable plastic bags in two more states
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It looks like Woolworths is officially closing the book on its 15-cent reusable plastic shopping bags in 2023! Two more states have now said goodbye to the service as part of larger efforts to cut back on plastic pollution.
The retail giant stopped selling plastic shopping bags at all of its Queensland and ACT stores from February 15 (that’s right, it’s already in effect).
This is part of the company's commitment to remove the bags from all stores nationwide over the next few months.
SA, NT, and WA Woolworths stores already phased the bags out last year, while NSW, VIC, and TAS stores are said to follow suit by June.
The decision to phase out the 15c reusable plastic shopping bags signals great news for the environment, with Woolworths estimating that it will take away more than 1,630 tonnes of plastic from circulation each year.
'We're proud to be the first major supermarket to commit to removing plastic shopping bags from our stores nationwide, and this change is an important step towards more sustainable grocery shopping,’ Woolworths’ State General Manager for Queensland Danny Baldwin said.
‘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 know it may be an adjustment for some customers and we thank them in advance for their support as we all work together to create a better tomorrow.’
Baldwin also pointed out that eight out of every ten Woolies shoppers bring their own bags, which is a sign that many have reacted positively to the idea of reusing bags.
‘A number of our customers are electing to actually not use bags at all,’ he added.
Aussies affected by the change will still have access to paper bags and other reusable plastic bags such as the new 99c ones introduced late last year.
According to reports, the paper bags are also due for a redesign which would see them able to carry up to 6 kg and made of up to 70 per cent recycled paper.
QLD and ACT users of Woolworths’ online shopping services will now have paper bags as the default option.
The move, though welcomed by advocates, is still lacking in certain areas, according to some.
‘You've really got to also educate everyone and just constantly remind people because for so long, we've just been so used to being able to walk in and just grab a bag,’ sustainability strategist Julie Boulton told ABC.
‘I think they've done well in taking the decision and being bold because I know for a lot of people it is a really big shift… But I also think what they could do better is explain why they're doing it and why this is important and ... why they've decided to go on this journey and make the call, and then also talk about all of the reasons behind it.’
‘(For example) what goes into making a plastic bag? Where does it come from? What happens to it after it's been used? So the more we put up signage around this, the more people understand — “Okay, right, I understand the bigger picture… it's actually for the common good.”’
QLD and ACT are among the areas in Australia that have commitments to reduce plastic use in place.
They enforced policies in 2021 banning single-use plastics, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).
Currently, items such as plastic cutlery, straws, and polystyrene food and beverage containers are disallowed in QLD and ACT.
In September, the ban on single-use plastics in QLD will be expanded to include cotton bud sticks, plastic microbeads, and loose-fill polystyrene packaging. A measure that effectively bans disposable heavyweight plastic bags is also expected to take effect in the state in the same month.
The development from Woolworths comes just as VIC joined states with increasingly strict measures against single-use plastics.
Individuals and businesses caught supplying or selling single-use plastic items in VIC face fines of $370 and up to $1,849, respectively.
In NSW, which enacted a similar ban late last year, individuals and businesses face heavier fines of up to $11,000 and $55,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, AMCS says TAS remains the only state without commitments to end single-use plastics.
In related news, Australia’s shift away from single-use plastics has some scratching their heads about what materials could be used as alternatives. Enter the humble mushroom.
So, what are your thoughts on Woolies’ latest move towards reducing plastic use? Do you welcome it despite the inconvenience it might cause for some? Have you taken to using reusable bags yourself?
Tell us your thoughts below!
Source: YouTube/7NEWS Australia
The retail giant stopped selling plastic shopping bags at all of its Queensland and ACT stores from February 15 (that’s right, it’s already in effect).
This is part of the company's commitment to remove the bags from all stores nationwide over the next few months.
SA, NT, and WA Woolworths stores already phased the bags out last year, while NSW, VIC, and TAS stores are said to follow suit by June.
The decision to phase out the 15c reusable plastic shopping bags signals great news for the environment, with Woolworths estimating that it will take away more than 1,630 tonnes of plastic from circulation each year.
'We're proud to be the first major supermarket to commit to removing plastic shopping bags from our stores nationwide, and this change is an important step towards more sustainable grocery shopping,’ Woolworths’ State General Manager for Queensland Danny Baldwin said.
QLD and ACT Woolworths shoppers will be seeing the last of the store’s 15c reusable plastic shopping bags because of an ongoing phaseout. Image Credit: Woolworths
‘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 know it may be an adjustment for some customers and we thank them in advance for their support as we all work together to create a better tomorrow.’
Baldwin also pointed out that eight out of every ten Woolies shoppers bring their own bags, which is a sign that many have reacted positively to the idea of reusing bags.
‘A number of our customers are electing to actually not use bags at all,’ he added.
Aussies affected by the change will still have access to paper bags and other reusable plastic bags such as the new 99c ones introduced late last year.
According to reports, the paper bags are also due for a redesign which would see them able to carry up to 6 kg and made of up to 70 per cent recycled paper.
QLD and ACT users of Woolworths’ online shopping services will now have paper bags as the default option.
The move, though welcomed by advocates, is still lacking in certain areas, according to some.
Woolworths stores in the ACT and QLD will shift more towards environmentally friendly paper shopping bags as the phaseout commences. Image Credit: Woolworths
‘You've really got to also educate everyone and just constantly remind people because for so long, we've just been so used to being able to walk in and just grab a bag,’ sustainability strategist Julie Boulton told ABC.
‘I think they've done well in taking the decision and being bold because I know for a lot of people it is a really big shift… But I also think what they could do better is explain why they're doing it and why this is important and ... why they've decided to go on this journey and make the call, and then also talk about all of the reasons behind it.’
‘(For example) what goes into making a plastic bag? Where does it come from? What happens to it after it's been used? So the more we put up signage around this, the more people understand — “Okay, right, I understand the bigger picture… it's actually for the common good.”’
QLD and ACT are among the areas in Australia that have commitments to reduce plastic use in place.
They enforced policies in 2021 banning single-use plastics, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).
Currently, items such as plastic cutlery, straws, and polystyrene food and beverage containers are disallowed in QLD and ACT.
In September, the ban on single-use plastics in QLD will be expanded to include cotton bud sticks, plastic microbeads, and loose-fill polystyrene packaging. A measure that effectively bans disposable heavyweight plastic bags is also expected to take effect in the state in the same month.
Individuals and businesses caught supplying or selling single-use plastic items in VIC face fines of $370 and up to $1,849, respectively.
In NSW, which enacted a similar ban late last year, individuals and businesses face heavier fines of up to $11,000 and $55,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, AMCS says TAS remains the only state without commitments to end single-use plastics.
In related news, Australia’s shift away from single-use plastics has some scratching their heads about what materials could be used as alternatives. Enter the humble mushroom.
So, what are your thoughts on Woolies’ latest move towards reducing plastic use? Do you welcome it despite the inconvenience it might cause for some? Have you taken to using reusable bags yourself?
Tell us your thoughts below!
Source: YouTube/7NEWS Australia
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