12 Woolworths stores in 16 suburbs across New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia will be removing single-use plastic bags from checkouts from today.
These 12 stores are just the beginning, with all Woolworths stores nationwide having a complete plastic bag ban from June 20th.
Fellow supermarket giant, Coles, will likewise be banning plastic bags from select stores later this month before also enacting a nationwide ban from July 1st.
Plastic bags are already banned in South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Terroirty and the ACT.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans each year.
The ban, of course, means that customers will have to remember to bring their reusable or ‘green bags’ or buy more if they forget their own.
Aside from the supermarkets, the changes will impact BWS liquor stores, Metro Stores and petrol stations.
According to the Ocean Conservancy, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans each year.
If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. Visualise an entire garbage truck being emptied into the ocean every minute, that’s what we’re dealing with at the moment.
Woolworths says the plastic bag ban in more than 800 shops across Australia will stop 3.2 billion bags polluting our environment. Plastic bags are used on average for 12-minutes but can take up to 1000 years to decompose.
The National Retailers Association QLD CEO Dominique Lamb told 9 News that this move is about the environment and those stores who don’t comply will receive fines of over $6000.
For now, the single-use plastic bag ban is only taking place at the checkout.
Barrier bags for meat and deli items will still be used.
