Big change is coming to Big W stores across Australia after Woolies and Coles made a similar move
- Another retailer stops using plastic bags
- Hailed as next step in sustainability journey
- Big W shoppers are already bringing their own bags
Big W is the latest Australian retail giant to phase out reusable plastic shopping bags.
The 15-cent and larger 45-cent reusable plastic shopping bags will disappear from checkouts nationwide by the end of June and be replaced by paper and non-plastic alternatives.
The move aims to remove more than 480 tons of plastic from circulation every year.
There will be paper bags for sale that are made from 100 percent recycled paper and are designed to be reused and easily recycled at home through curbside recycling.
For shoppers who forget to bring their own bag, there are also 99 cent reusable bags made from 70 percent recycled material.
Big W discontinues reusable plastic bags, replacing it with a recycled paper option (pictured)
“At Big W, we believe every little change can make a big difference and this is an exciting next step in our sustainability journey,” said Managing Director Dan Hake.
Saying goodbye to plastic shopping bags removes more than 480 tons of plastic from circulation every year, contributing to a better future for future generations.
“Since we stopped giving away single-use plastic bags in 2018, we have seen an incredible effort from our customers to change the way they shop for the better by bringing their own bag.
“We want to thank them for their contribution to the environment and we look forward to continuing to work together towards a more sustainable future.”
According to the retailer, the majority of Big W shoppers already bring their own bags
Big W is part of the Woolworths Group, where the supermarket giant has recently phased out its 15c plastic bags.
Woolworths estimates that 80 percent of shoppers bring their own bag.
Coles will also phase out its reusable plastic bags in June, a move that is expected to remove 230 million plastic bags from circulation nationwide within 12 months.
Paper bags are available in stores for 25 cents each.
“The most sustainable option is to bring your own reusable bag to the supermarket, but for those who forget, we will continue to sell 100 percent recycled paper bags that can be recycled on the street, as well as other reusable options,” says Coles, chief of operations and said sustainability officer Matt Swindells.
Big W, Woolworrths and Coles removed all single-use plastic carrier bags from checkouts five years ago.
Big W’s reusable plastic bags (pictured) will disappear from checkouts within weeks