The supermarket chain said that its paper bags made from 70% recycled paper will remain available to the customers, who require them
Woolworths, BIG W to phase out reusable plastic shopping bags. (Credit: Woolworths Group Limited)
Australian supermarket chain Woolworths has announced that it will stop selling its 15-cent reusable plastic shopping bags across the nation in a gradual phase-out over the next year.
With the latest move, Woolworths has become the first national supermarket to pledge to eliminate plastic shopping bags.
BIG W, a chain of discount department stores and a division of Woolworths Group, is also set to remove its 15-cent and 45-cent reusable plastic bags from stores by the end of June 2023.
The move will remove more than 9,000 tonnes of plastic from circulation each year.
The supermarket chain said that its paper bags made from 70% recycled paper will remain available to the customers, who require them.
Woolworths said that the reusable plastic shopping bags will be phased out gradually state-by-state from its supermarkets, Metros, and online orders.
Earlier this year, the supermarket chain began phasing out plastic bags in Western Australia in time for the State government’s mandate that coming into effect at the end of this month.
Woolworths stated that more than 1,000 supermarkets nationwide will not sell the 15-cent reusable plastic shopping bag by June 2023.
BIG W will also phase out its reusable plastic bags nationally by the end of June 2023.
Woolworths Supermarkets managing director Natalie Davis said: “Our reusable plastic bags were introduced back in 2018 to help customers adjust to the removal of single-use plastic bags from our stores.
“We’ve seen a huge shift in shopping habits since we stopped giving out single-use plastic bags, with eight out of ten customers now bringing their own bags from home.
“The reusable plastic bags have played their part and now it’s time to do away with selling plastic shopping bags at our checkouts for good.
“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.
“Customers expect us to lead on sustainability, and this is one way we are growing greener by reducing plastic and ensuring the regular trip to your local Woolworths or BIG W is having less impact on the environment.
“We know the change may be an adjustment for some customers and that’s why we’re phasing this change in over the coming year. We’d like to thank customers in advance for their support as we all work together to create a better tomorrow.”