Woolworths will begin phasing out its 15-cent reusable plastic bags in a state before a ban takes effect in July.
Woolworths will begin phasing out its 15-cent reusable plastic bags in Western Australia this month before a state ban goes into effect in July.
Shoppers who do not bring their own bags will be offered Woolworths 20 cent paper shopping bags instead as standard, which are also used for online orders.
Green Fabric Reusable Bags and the Bag For Good will still be available.
The reusable plastic bags were first introduced in 2018, when the supermarket was the first in Australia to leave single-use bags, with others soon after.
Woolworths says more than 80 percent of its customers in WA now bring their own bags to the store.
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“Next month, we will be 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,” said Woolworths State General Manager for WA Karl Weber in a Statement on Monday.
“This change will remove more than 30 million plastic bags from circulation in WA each year – which is a huge benefit to the health of our oceans and waterways. While our paper bags are still available, the most sustainable bag you can use is the reusable that you bring from home.
“The vast majority of our customers already bring their own recyclable bags to the store, which is the best result for the environment, and we encourage customers to continue the great work. We know that changing this new WA legislation can be an adjustment for some clients and we thank them in advance for their support as we all work together to become greener.
Woolworths will remind customers in the store and through advertising to bring their own bag before the change.
“Western Australia has a strong track record of reducing single-use plastics in the environment, and has been named by WWF Australia as the country’s top jurisdiction two years in a row for the work that is being done,” WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby said in a statement.
“The VA community has shown overwhelming support for this – and I want to thank everyone, including Woolworths, who embraced these important changes.”
The VA government announced last year that it would soon pursue the state’s “Plan for Plastics”, with regulations banning plastic articles being implemented in two stages.
Stage one, which contains thick plastic bags, began in January, but implementation of the rules will begin on July 1st.
Also covered by the ban are plastic plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, stirrers, straws, take-away polystyrene food containers and helium balloon releases.
Stage two will be implemented by the end of 2022 and includes thin plastic production bags, cotton buds with plastic shafts, polystyrene packaging, microbeads, oxo-degradable plastic, take-away coffee cups and lids, and polystyrene cups.
Under the rules, businesses can be fined $ 5,000 for selling banned items, giving “false or misleading information” about plastic bags, delivering plastic straws or releasing gas-filled plastic balloons.
WA says training and support for businesses will be the focus of the first six months after each stage, rather than compliance.
“The Western Australian Plan for Plastics is setting our state on the path to becoming a plastics-free leader in Australia,” Prime Minister Mark McGowan said last year in a statement announcing the movement.
“Single-use plastics have had a devastating impact on our environment, animals, public health and recycling efforts, and the vast majority of Western Australians have told us they want this to stop.
“By advancing the time frame for individual plastic bags, we can benefit from the enthusiasm of the community and our collective desire for change to make important improvements quick and effective.
“The new timeframe still gives companies time to adapt to these changes, with many companies already switching to environmentally friendly alternatives at the request of customers. By refusing the choice of individual use plastics we can further set the benchmark and, most importantly, protect our environment for future generations.
Woolworths ’20 -Cent paper bag, made by the Australian company Detpak from 70 percent recycled paper, is designed to be reused and can carry up to 6 kg of groceries.
Woolworths says it has worked with the manufacturer to boost the production of paper bags to make the additional volume required, in the process of creating 25 new local jobs.
Coles was contacted for comment.
frank.chung@news.com.au
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