Supermarket giant Woolworths has announced its getting rid of its plastic reusable shopping bags.
The 15 cent bags will be pulled from stores across the Territory, as part of a nation wide plan to phase them out over the next 12 months.
Woolworths’ paper bags made from 70 per cent recycled paper will remain available to those who need them.
The decision also affects Big W stores, with the retailer to pull its plastic bags by the end of 2023.
Managing Director of Woolworths Supermarkets, Natalie Davis, said the reusable plastic bags were introduced back in 2018 to help customers adjust to the removal of single use plastic bags from our stores.
“We’ve seen a huge shift in shopping habits since we stopped giving out single use plastic bags, with eight out of ten customers now bringing their own bags from home.
“The reusable plastic bags have played their part and now it’s time to do away with selling plastic shopping bags at our checkouts for good.
“Bringing your own bags is the very best outcome for the environment, and we encourage our customers to keep up the great work. Paper bags will continue to be available for those who forget to bring their own – but ultimately we want to sell less bags altogether.
The change has already taken place in Western Australia, where Woolworths supermarkets began phasing out plastic bags in March.
Woolworths stores in South Australia and Northern Territory will be the next to phase out the bags, with the transition set to begin by September this year.
Other states and territories will follow as stores begin gradually running down stock of the reusable plastic bags.
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