Woolworths has bid farewell to single-use plastic bags under a new ban across the retail giant's stores
From today, shoppers must bring along re-usable bags or buy them at the retailer's supermarkets, BWS, Metro and petrol outlets.
Chief executive Brad Banducci said it was a landmark day for the company, with the move expected to have a positive impact on rivers, creeks and coastal regions where bags kill substantial wildlife.
“We are proud to say that from now on, single-use plastic bags are gone from our stores, for good,” he said.
Mr Banducci said it could take shoppers a while to adjust to the ban.
“Putting reusable bags at the top of your shopping list, keeping a couple in the car or leaving a post-it note on the fridge are some simple tricks that could work as a reminder,” he said.
READ MORE: Tips for adjusting to a plastic bag ban
Woolworths and Coles last July joined a push to rid Australia of disposable plastic bags and set a deadline of June 30, 2018 for their stores to stop offering them to shoppers.
Woolies, which has provided more than 3.2 billion plastic bags a year to shoppers, later brought forward that deadline to June 20.
Conservation groups have welcomed the bans being introduced by Coles and Woolworths.
Similar bans in Britain and Ireland have helped reduce plastic bag usage by up to 85 per cent.
Woolworths and Coles have also announced plans to slash the amount of plastic wrapping on fresh fruit and vegetables in response to demand from shoppers.
Plastics in all their forms have had a devestating impact on wildlife, including birds, turtles, fish and even some saltwater crocodiles.
AAP
