Sustainability Updates Changes to our bag range for a greener future Woolworths has become the first national supermarket to pledge to remove 15c and online plastic shopping bags for good! In early June, we announced that we will phase out these bags nationwide over the next year. This change will remove more than 9,000 tonnes of plastic annually. The 15c and online plastic shopping bags will be phased out gradually state-by-state from Woolworths supermarkets, Metros, and online orders, with Woolworths in Western Australia already making the move earlier this year in time for the State Government mandate coming into effect at the end of this month. Eight in every ten Woolworths customers already bring their own bags when they shop, and we encourage customers to bring their own bags each time they shop. For those who don't bring their own bags, Woolworths’ paper bags made from 70% recycled paper are available in-store along with a range of reusable alternatives. In South Australia, compostable Fruit & Veg barrier bags have replaced traditional plastic F&V bags. Our SA customers also have good access to the FOGO (kerbside food organics) collection, with the majority of residents able to safely dispose of the compostable bags in their green bin. The bags work well with kitchen food scrap caddies, making it easy for customers to both reduce their plastic waste, and to divert food waste from landfill, a win-win! This change has the potential to remove around 70 tonnes of plastic waste from circulation each year in SA alone. We will continue to explore opportunities to help make it easier for our customers to make more sustainable choices.
EDITION 8 I JULY 2022
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