How the supermarkets' plastic bag bans will work
Friday, 24 November 2017
New World and Countdown have committed to phasing out all plastic bags by the end of 2018.
It's great news, but what about all the other supermarkets, like Pak 'n Save and FreshChoice?
We look at where and how bag bans will be implemented and what shoppers can expect.
WHICH SUPERMARKETS ARE BANNING THE BAG?
Progressive Enterprises, which owns Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice supermarkets, will ban plastic bags at Countdown by the end of next year.
Countdown general manager James Walker said the company's other supermarket chains were looking at phasing out plastic bags before the end of 2018, but needed to map out a plan and had not committed to it yet.
Foodstuffs, which owns New World, Pak 'n Save and Four Square, will ban bags at just New World stores also by the end of next year.
Pak 'n Save will continue to charge customers 10 cents for a plastic bag in the North Island, 5 cents in the South Island, and have free boxes available for customers. Four Square stores will continue to offer free bags.
Foodstuffs said there are no plans for Pak 'n Save to ban plastic bags.
HOW MANY PLASTIC BAGS WILL THIS CUT?
Walker said the ban would eliminate 350 million plastic bags a year used at 183 Countdown stores. Because Countdown's 65 FreshChoice and SuperValue stores were franchised, it was difficult to get individual store figures on how many bags those supermarkets gave out, he said.
Foodstuffs spokeswoman Antoinette Laird would not say how many plastic bags were given out at the 138 New World, 58 Pak 'n Save, and 280 FourSquare supermarkets around New Zealand.
WHAT IF I FORGET MY REUSABLE BAGS?
Both supermarkets companies are aware they need to start promoting the use of reusable bags so it becomes normal behaviour for shoppers when the ban is in place.
Laird said New World stores would introduce a voluntary 10 cent donation for using a plastic bag from February 2018, but there were no set plans to offer alternatives like boxes.
Stores will also give out 2 million reusable bags next year tied to spending promotions.
Countdown's James Walker said there wouldn't be any plastic bags for sale next year. This differs from Countdown's Australian parent Woolworths, which introduced a ban this year but also offers 'thicker reusable versions' for purchase.
In New Zealand, boxes are already available and reusable bags are for sale for $1.
'We will introduce new affordable and sustainable alternatives at check-outs in case customers forget their own bags. We are currently finalising what these options will be, and will be launching trials in the new year,' Walker said.
There is no word yet on what FreshChoice and SuperValue may offer if a ban is put in place.
WHAT ABOUT DELIVERY AND CLICK AND COLLECT?
Shoppers who opt to have their groceries pre-packed or delivered may have less choice on bags.
Walker said Countdown customers could write a note for their personal shopper asking them to use as few plastic bags as possible, for example asking to bag all of their meat together, and could ask for boxes if they were available.
Foodstuffs are yet to provide information on what options they have for delivery customers.
WAIT … HAVEN'T WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?
Some shoppers may not remember but Foodstuffs tried a 5 cent plastic bag levy at New World, Pak 'n Save and Four Square stores back in 2009.
It resulted in a 65 per cent drop in plastic bag use and the $50,000 raised was donated to the Department of Conservation.
But shoppers weren't ready for it and the levy only lasted a month before the bags were once again offered for free.
At the time, Foodstuffs managing director Steve Anderson said: 'We cannot please everyone in this debate. We gave it a go but the objections were too noisy.'
Farro Fresh supermarkets also tried a 5c plastic bag levy in 2015 and offered a 5c rebate for shoppers who bought their owns bags. But again, customers didn't like it and the levy only last about a month.