Woolworths, a leading South African retailer, has embarked on a groundbreaking trial aimed at phasing out plastic barrier bags across its stores. The trial, currently operational in 12 selected stores, signifies the company's commitment to reducing plastic waste and fostering a more sustainable environment.
The initiative, spearheaded by Woolworths' head of sustainability, Feroz Koor, aims to evaluate the feasibility of eliminating plastic barrier bags used for separating products during checkout. If successful, the trial will pave the way for the extension of this initiative to all Woolworths stores across South Africa.
"At Woolies, we have a vision of zero packaging waste to landfill and have publicly committed to the removal of unnecessary and problematic plastics from our value chain," stated Feroz Koor.
Woolworths has been proactive in its efforts to reduce single-use plastics, having already removed items such as plastic straws, cutlery, cotton bud sticks, lollipop sticks, microbeads, and single-use shopping bags from its stores. The focus now shifts to addressing the issue of plastic barrier bags, identified as the last problematic plastic on the SA Plastics Pact list.
"The barrier bag is the last problematic plastic on the SA Plastics Pact list that we need to remove, and we are ready to work closely with our customers to eliminate it from our stores," Koor emphasized.
The elimination of plastic barrier bags from Woolworths stores has the potential to make a significant impact, with an estimated 11 million plastic bags annually being prevented from polluting the environment, waterways, and landfills.
While plastic barrier bags technically can be recycled, their thin composition poses challenges for recycling facilities. Often contaminated with food or other waste, these bags are more likely to end up in communities, water bodies, and landfills instead of being effectively recycled.
Woolworths is exploring viable eco-friendly alternatives, such as responsibly sourced paper bags, to replace plastic barrier bags. The move aligns with the retailer's commitment to sustainability and its membership in the SA Plastics Pact, a collaborative effort involving government entities, businesses, and NGOs dedicated to reducing plastic waste and pollution.
This initiative mirrors similar actions taken by other South African retailers. In February 2024, Pick n Pay announced its decision to discontinue the use of plastic barrier bags, estimated at approximately 20 million annually, further underscoring the industry's collective efforts toward a greener future.
As Woolworths advances its trial, it stands poised to set a new standard for sustainable retail practices, demonstrating that environmentally conscious decisions can drive positive change within the industry and beyond.
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