The launch of a new reusable shopping bag and phasing out of plastic straws from sale are among a number of sustainability initiatives at Redland Woolworths stores.
With the removal of single-use plastic shopping bags from June 20, Woolworths stores in Redland City are changing their popular green, reusable bags available for customers to purchase in store to a Bag for Good.
Local Woolworths group manager, Rob Draper said the bags cost 99 cents.
“When it gets damaged, we will replace it for free, no matter when you bought it from us. We’ll then recycle your old bag via the REDCycle program,” Mr Draper said.
Money made from the sale of the Woolworths Bag for Good will fund the junior landcare grants program.
Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said the Woolworths junior landcare program would help younger Australians to be more aware of environmental issues in their own backyard.
“They will have the opportunity to have hands-on environmental education in the class and in the schoolyard, which will only help to better future generations. We look forward to seeing applications from schools in the local area when the next grant round is launched in a couple of months’ time.”
Plastic straws will also no longer be available for sale at Redland Woolworths stores by the end of this year.
“It has been well documented that plastic straws do significant harm to marine wildlife and this move will help reduce the impact of plastics on the marine environment. Across Australia and New Zealand this move will see us remove 134 million straws from circulation each year,” Mr Draper said.
Woolworths will also continue its ongoing program of plastic reduction in fruit and vegetables, which has seen the removal of 140 tonnes of plastic in the last year in Australia. A further 80 produce items are earmarked for plastic reduction trials in the next year.
