Cessnock-Kurri Greens members have been handing out paper bags to customers who have forgotten their reusable bags or didn’t know that plastic bags would no longer be available.
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Woolworths removed single-use plastic bags Australia-wide on June 20, and Coles and IGA will do so on July 1.
The Greens were on hand at Woolworths Cessnock on the first day of the ban to provide shoppers with the paper bags, which are Australian-made; good for six-to-eight uses, and – unlike plastic bags – can be put into the kerbside recycling bin or the compost heap.
Cessnock-Kurri Greens spokesperson Janet Murray said the plastic bag ban is positive for the environment – and they wanted to make sure it was a positive for customers, too.
“It was good to see that many people had their reusable bags but there were still some that didn’t know that plastic bags would no longer be available,” Ms Murray said.
“Some even came back from the checkout to grab an extra bag from us.
“It was a good opportunity to remind them that reusable bags are better for us all in the long run.”
Of the 1.2 million tonnes of plastic Australia produces per year, 37 percent is designed for single-use purposes, and only 20 percent gets recycled – with an alarming amount ending up in our streets and waterways.
Prior to the ban, Woolworths’ customers used more than 3.2 billion single-use plastic bags every year.
A recent survey showed three-quarters of Woolworths’ customers supported the move to remove single-use plastic bags from circulation.
Woolworths Cessnock store manager Mel Stubbs said June 20 was a “landmark day” for the community to help support a greener future for Australia.
“From the beginning, we felt strongly that this was the right thing to do and we’re really pleased to see customers are behind the change as well,” Ms Stubbs said.
“We are proud to say that from now on, single-use plastic bags are gone from our store for good.
“What we’re trying to do with this change is encourage more customers to bring their own reusable bags when shopping, so we can prevent plastic bags from reaching our waterways and reduce the overall production of plastics.
“We know it may take some time for shoppers to form new habits, which is why we’ve been working hard to get the message out to local customers to remember to bring their own bags over the past few months.
“Putting ‘reusable bags’ at the top of your shopping list, keeping a couple in the car or leaving a post-it note on the fridge are some simple tricks that could work as a reminder.”
Woolworths shoppers have the options of bringing their own bags, or buying reusable bags ranging in price from 15 cents to 99 cents.
Proceeds from the 99-cent ‘Bag For Good’ will fund the Junior Landcare grants program.
At Coles, reusable bags starting at 15 cents will also be available, along with a range of durable, multi-use ‘Community Bags’, which will support Clean Up Australia, Little Athletics Australia, SecondBite and Guide Dogs Australia (ranging in price from $1 to $3).
IGA will have reusable bags for sale and cardboard boxes for use.
Ms Murray said while it was good to see the supermarkets eliminating single-use plastic bags, it would be good to see them tackle the plastic packaging of fresh fruit and vegetables too.
The Greens members will be handing out paper bags at Coles and IGA Kurri Kurri this Sunday, when the ban is introduced at those stores.
