Woolworths ditches plastic bags at ALL food stores

Woolworths ditches plastic bags at ALL food stores

Woolworths has confirmed that it has now removed single-use plastic shopping bags at ALL of its food stores in the country.

The announcement marks a key milestone in the South African retailer’s strategy of zero-packaging waste to landfill.

According to BusinessTech, along with dropping all single-use plastic bags at its stores, the Woolworths strategy also includes the phasing out of unnecessary single-use plastics and for all packaging to be reusable and/or recyclable.

Since announcing the strategy, the retailer has also removed single-use plastic straws, utensils, lollipop sticks and cotton bud stems, as well as made packaging improvements.

“We are deeply committed to our zero-packaging waste to landfill vision and delighted to have reached this target,” said Latiefa Behardien, Woolworths Foods Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer.

Woolworths ‘bag share’ initiative at 4 stores in Mzansi

“A critical component for the rollout to over 400 food markets was to ensure that our customers had a cost-efficient, durable, reusable bag option that was also made locally. We partnered with a local black-owned supplier and, over the last few years, have created a sustainable business that, in turn, created much-needed jobs in a tough economic environment.”

To help encourage behavioural change among customers, Woolworths is currently trialling a “bag share” initiative, which gives customers the opportunity to drop off their excess reusable bags that are still in good condition for fellow customers – who have forgotten theirs – to use and return thereafter.

“The trial is currently running in our Constantia, Palmyra, St Johns Piazza and Majik Forest stores and should there be a favourable response, we will roll out to more stores upcountry,” the group said.

Have you taken advantage of the ‘bag share’ initiative? Thoughts on the idea? Let us know below!