Woolworths has introduced new locally made compostable fruit and vegetable bags in South Australian stores to help slash single-use plastic waste.
South Australia is the first state where Woolworths has introduced compostable fruit and vegetable bags, now available in the fruit and veg departments of all 67 stores across the state.
“The switch has the potential to divert up to 70 tonnes of plastic waste from landfill each year,” with customers now able to compost their Woolworths fruit and vegetable bags in their council-provided green bins for food and garden organics where available, or in their own household DIY compost.
With around 80 per cent of South Australian households having access to council-provided organic bins, compostable alternatives offer an effective way to reduce plastic waste. The compostable bags have been made in South Australia by local manufacturer, Biobag.
Woolworths South Australia Assistant State Manager Elisha Moore says: “We’re growing greener across our stores and this represents a big breakthrough in sustainable shopping for our customers here in South Australia.
“We’re thrilled to be the first major supermarket in South Australia to roll out compostable fruit and veg bags in all our stores statewide as we work together with our customers to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
“South Australia leads the nation in household access to council-provided composting, so it’s a great place to launch sustainable initiatives like these new bags.”
Deputy Premier of South Australia and Environment Minister Hon. Susan Close says: “South Australia was the logical choice for Woolworths to launch these certified compostable fruit and vegetable bags in all their stores across the state, because all our metropolitan councils in Adelaide accept food waste in their green bins and so do many regional and country councils.”
The new bags are designed to be used as liners in council-provided food scrap ‘kitchen caddies’.
Woolworths also offers reusable nylon fruit and vegetable bags in most of its SA supermarkets, available for purchase in a pack of three.