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Smooth start for plastic bag ban

Posted on May 4, 2009, 2:02pm

Mount Gambier retailers yesterday reported a smooth transition from single-use shopping bags to environmentally friendly ones as the plastic bag ban kicked off.

Centro IGA supermarket assistant manager Astrid Palmer said the message on the ban had reached shoppers.

“Before the ban started some shoppers still complained, but now they seem to be happy,” Ms Palmer said.
KMart manager Vito Pisechia also said the transition was “no big issue”.

Retailers were yesterday stocked with reusable “green bags” or biodegradable bags.

According to Woolworths corporate and public affairs director Andrew Hall, Woolworths had added four new reusable bag varieties to its existing range of reusable bags, including carry bags for 15 cents each, purse-size pouch bags for $4.99, eight bags in a bag for $8.99 and refill packs of five reusable bags for $4.99.

“The plastic bag ban will mean a big change to the way some customers shop,” Mr Hall said.

“To help reduce confusion, Woolworths has been running an education campaign in store so that customers could start to get used to shopping with reusable bags.”

Coles has also announced additions to its range of environmentally friendly bags.

They include multi-use heavyweight plastic bags for 15 cents each and biodegradable bags which meet the Australian Standards for 25 cents each.

Coles general manager customer services Sioneed Rees-Thomas said store teams had been re-trained in bag packing procedures to ensure the new bag alternatives were packed to the appropriate safe weight for customers.

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Comments

One Response to “Smooth start for plastic bag ban”

  1. Graham on May 21st, 2009 7:10 am 1

    Especially in this the United Nations Year of Natural Fibres (see here http://www.alburyenvirobags.com.au/jute2009.php) politicians and environmentalists should be supporting the use of natural fibre bags such as jute bags and organic cotton bags. Why is it that these natural fibre bags, and the Year of Natural Fibres, has such a low profile amongst politicians and environmentalists?