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Current Campaigns : Plastic bags and Retailers : Major Supermarkets

Major Supermarkets

What are the major supermarkets doing to reduce plastic bag usage?

Click on the company logos below to find out what each company is doing to reduce their plastic bag usage.

Coles and Bi-Lo

Since March 2002, Coles and Bi-Lo have sold over 5 million reusable bags.

"Our 'Go Green' bags make shopping easier for our customers as the bags hold twice as many items as plastic bags and they are easier to carry," says Graham Clark, Environment Manager, Coles Myer Ltd.

'Go Green' bags can be purchased for $1 each.

Coles and Bi-Lo have established the 'Go Green' Environment Fund where they donate 10 cents from the sale of every 'Go Green' bag to Planet Ark, Clean Up Australia and Landcare Australia.

Woolworths

Woolworths sell to customers a number of reusable bag alternatives such as the Green Bag, calico and reusable plastic bags. To date, they have sold more than 6 million alternative bags.

All plastic bags in Woolworths are now also made up of 40% recycled material and they are currently researching ways to increase this amount.

In June this year Woolworths reached the target of reducing plastic bag usage by 25% by the end of 2004. They are now focusing on a 50% reduction by the end of 2005.

ALDI

Since opening its first Australian store in 2001, ALDI was the first grocery retailer to successfully introduce a charge on plastic bags. Customers are encouraged to purchase reusable shopping bags or they can bring their own bags instead.

Group Managing Director, Michael Kloeters says "that ALDI has received strong customer support for their stand on plastic bags. In fact some shoppers have even admitted it has encouraged them to adopt more environmentally habits."

TOPICS

What can your retail outlet do?
How to reduce plastic bag usage

Non-supermarket retailers
What are they doing to reduce plastic bag usage?

Major Supermarkets
What are they doing to reduce plastic bag usage?

Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to those commonly asked questions

Plastic Bag Free Towns
Case Studies on towns that have done it

Alternatives to Plastic Bags
Find out how the various alternatives measure up

Suppliers of Plastic Bag Alternatives
Contact details of bag alternative suppliers

Find out more about plastic bags