Woolies readies a plastic solution

IT’S still more than a month away but Woolworths shoppers are starting to be prepped for when the supermarket stops using plastic bags at the checkout.

Notices in stores are reminding customers to bring their own reusable bags as the supermarket counts down to the June 20 changeover.

Across Australia this will see the removal of 3.2 billion lightweight plastic bags from circulation each year.

Customers will have the option to bring in their own bags or have access to purchase a range of reusable bag options starting from 15 cents.

Woolworths operations manager Peta Hartley said Woolies was committed to listening to its customers and also doing the right thing for the environment.

“We are proud to be able to help create a greener future for Australia with our customers by removing singleuse plastic bags from our store from June 20,” Ms Hartley said. “We appreciate that it will be a big change for our customers and will do what we can to support them through the transition to make it as smooth and simple as possible.”

In the lead-up to June 20, there will be increased signage in-store and at checkouts reminding customers of the date change.

Planet Ark chief executive Paul Klymenko said the move would have a positive impact on the environment.

“Single-use plastic bags have become a huge problem for Australia’s oceans and waterways where they cause significant harm to marine life, such as turtles and whales,” he said. “They also don’t breakdown in landfill and require significant resources to manufacture in the first place.

“This is a real win for the environment.”