Whether or not you’re a hard-core environmentalist, it’s common knowledge that one of the biggest contributors to worldwide pollution are single-use plastics.

Did you know that Australia alone uses over 9.7 billion single-use plastic bags annually? To add to that, a 2016 report from NSW EPA, 75 percent of lightweight plastic bags comes from supermarkets across the country.

In order to curb the massive amount of plastic pollution, WA has already taken the necessary steps towards a more sustainable future, including the phasing out of single-use plastics under the WA Government’s Plan for Plastics to help the environment.

Image Credit: Ecoaid​

In support of the act, Woolworths announced that they will put an end to selling their 15-cent reusable plastic bags across all stores in WA.

The supermarket giant will only be providing their customers with more environmentally friendly options to pack their groceries such as their fabric ‘Bag For Good’, paper bags, and green fabric totes as soon as the statewide ban on plastic comes into effect in July 2022.

Environment minister Reece Whitby said the state is currently leading the way on banning single-use plastics across the country.

“Western Australia has a strong track record on reducing single-use plastics in the environment, and was named the top jurisdiction in the country two years in a row by WWF Australia, for the work that is being done,” he said.

“The WA community has shown overwhelming support for this — and I would like to thank everyone, including Woolworths, who have embraced these important changes.”

Woolworths state general manager, Karl Weber, announced the implementation saying: “Over the next month, we'll be gradually phasing out plastic shopping bags from our stores and online orders across WA, as we move to support the WA Government's upcoming plastic bag ban.”

“This change will see more than 30 million plastic bags removed from circulation in WA every year — which is a big win for the health of our oceans and waterways.”

“While our paper bags will continue to be available, the most sustainable bag you can use is the reusable one you bring from home,” he added.

However, the majority of shoppers are already way ahead of the game. More than 80 percent of shoppers bring their own reusable bags for grocery trips – meaning the upcoming change will have an impact only on a small number of customers.

Karl Weber confirms this saying: “The vast majority of our customers already bring their own reusable bags to shop, which is the very best outcome for the environment, and we encourage customers to keep up the great work.”

“We know the change brought about by this new WA legislation may be an adjustment for some customers and we thank them in advance for their support as we all work together to grow greener.”

Customers will be reminded of the switch through in-store advertisements.

The paper bags will cost 20 cents each and are said to be able to carry up to 6 kilograms of groceries.

Image Credit: munozmiranda.com​

Woolworths was actually the first supermarket to scrap single-use plastic bags in 2018. The 15-cent reusable plastic bags were only introduced as a cheaper alternative to their fabric bags priced at 99 cents.

According to the WA’s Plan for Plastics, plastic items will be banned in two stages across the state.

The first stage, also known as ‘short-term actions’, was introduced first thing this year (January) to then be reinforced this coming July.

The first stage includes banning single-use plastic plates, bowls, cutlery, drinking straws, thick bags, takeaway food containers, and helium balloon releases.

On the other hand, the second stage (called ‘medium-term’ actions) aims to ban thin plastic produce bags, cotton buds with plastic shafts, microbeads, oxo-degradable plastics, takeaway coffee cups and lids, and polystyrene cups.

The second stage will be implemented by the end of 2022. Businesses who choose to disregard the ban will be fined up to $5,000.

What are your thoughts on this article? Share it with us in the comments!

Want to learn more about the WA Plastics Ban? Watch the video below!

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Video Credit: QISPackaging​

 

[Mirabella]

This should have been implemented when they scrapped the free plastic bags. I’ve always thought it didn’t make any sense, you remove free plastic bags, then they sell 15c plastic bags - go figure!

 

[BecciRD]

we get all our groceries delivered. We live in Qld - I agree with stopping plastic bags, howeverthe paperbags - will they hold frozen foods when you get it delivered?

 

[Ricci]

This should not be confined to just WA. The rest of Australia, its wildlife, rivers and oceans need this too!

 

[Ezzy]

we get all our groceries delivered. We live in Qld - I agree with stopping plastic bags, howeverthe paperbags - will they hold frozen foods when you get it delivered?

When l worked in Woolworths many years ago big brown paper bags are all we had for everything. Perhaps frozen products should be wrapped in Butcher's Paper to prevent thawing for deliveries? I wonder if Woolworths have thought about home deliveries & frozen foods.

 

[Ezzy]

Woolworths is putting a halt to selling 15 cent reusable bags in anticipation of upcoming ban​

Whether or not you’re a hard-core environmentalist, it’s common knowledge that one of the biggest contributors to worldwide pollution are single-use plastics.

Did you know that Australia alone uses over 9.7 billion single-use plastic bags annually? To add to that, a 2016 report from NSW EPA, 75 percent of lightweight plastic bags comes from supermarkets across the country.

In order to curb the massive amount of plastic pollution, WA has already taken the necessary steps towards a more sustainable future, including the phasing out of single-use plastics under the WA Government’s Plan for Plastics to help the environment.

Image Credit: Ecoaid​

In support of the act, Woolworths announced that they will put an end to selling their 15-cent reusable plastic bags across all stores in WA.

The supermarket giant will only be providing their customers with more environmentally friendly options to pack their groceries such as their fabric ‘Bag For Good’, paper bags, and green fabric totes as soon as the statewide ban on plastic comes into effect in July 2022.

Environment minister Reece Whitby said the state is currently leading the way on banning single-use plastics across the country.

​

“Western Australia has a strong track record on reducing single-use plastics in the environment, and was named the top jurisdiction in the country two years in a row by WWF Australia, for the work that is being done,” he said.

“The WA community has shown overwhelming support for this — and I would like to thank everyone, including Woolworths, who have embraced these important changes.”

Woolworths state general manager, Karl Weber, announced the implementation saying: “Over the next month, we'll be gradually phasing out plastic shopping bags from our stores and online orders across WA, as we move to support the WA Government's upcoming plastic bag ban.”

“This change will see more than 30 million plastic bags removed from circulation in WA every year — which is a big win for the health of our oceans and waterways.”

“While our paper bags will continue to be available, the most sustainable bag you can use is the reusable one you bring from home,” he added.

​

However, the majority of shoppers are already way ahead of the game. More than 80 percent of shoppers bring their own reusable bags for grocery trips – meaning the upcoming change will have an impact only on a small number of customers.

Karl Weber confirms this saying: “The vast majority of our customers already bring their own reusable bags to shop, which is the very best outcome for the environment, and we encourage customers to keep up the great work.”

“We know the change brought about by this new WA legislation may be an adjustment for some customers and we thank them in advance for their support as we all work together to grow greener.”

Customers will be reminded of the switch through in-store advertisements.

The paper bags will cost 20 cents each and are said to be able to carry up to 6 kilograms of groceries.

Image Credit: munozmiranda.com​

Woolworths was actually the first supermarket to scrap single-use plastic bags in 2018. The 15-cent reusable plastic bags were only introduced as a cheaper alternative to their fabric bags priced at 99 cents.

According to the WA’s Plan for Plastics, plastic items will be banned in two stages across the state.

The first stage, also known as ‘short-term actions’, was introduced first thing this year (January) to then be reinforced this coming July.

The first stage includes banning single-use plastic plates, bowls, cutlery, drinking straws, thick bags, takeaway food containers, and helium balloon releases.

On the other hand, the second stage (called ‘medium-term’ actions) aims to ban thin plastic produce bags, cotton buds with plastic shafts, microbeads, oxo-degradable plastics, takeaway coffee cups and lids, and polystyrene cups.

The second stage will be implemented by the end of 2022. Businesses who choose to disregard the ban will be fined up to $5,000.

​

What are your thoughts on this article? Share it with us in the comments!

Want to learn more about the WA Plastics Ban? Watch the video below!

Video Credit: QISPackaging​

No mention was made about orders placed for pick to be picked-up.

What will happen when a customer puts in an order via the internet & picks it up? Are they expected to buy multiple 99c bags, take their own bags to the store after placing an order or take their own bags with them when picking up expecting that their order is loose & they will need to pack this themselves?

 

[Ezzy]

No mention was made about orders placed for pick to be picked-up.

What will happen when a customer puts in an order via the internet & picks it up? Are they expected to buy multiple 99c bags, take their own bags to the store after placing an order or take their own bags with them when picking up expecting that their order is loose & they will need to pack this themselves?

Further to my comments above:-
We had one of these pick & pick ups today & l saw the result of frozen products in their paper bags & listened to complaints from my wife & daughter. True to form the bag was saturated to the point of falling out of the bag. Their concerns however were not for themselves but the poor shop assistant who may be carrying this bag or bags to a customer's car when the bag disintegrates.

 

[Evol P]

Why not use the zillions of boxes the groceries are delivered in to the supermarkets for home deliveries.
I say ban the ,15c bags and also the plastic produce bags. Use the thin nylon bags for produce and the reusable foldable bags for the groceries.