Prepare to bid goodbye to the plastic bag as Australia’s supermarket chains have confirmed they are prepared to phase out the shopping accessory in the next year.

Woolworth’s promised on Friday that single-use plastic bags will be wiped from checkouts at both stores, as well as Big W and BWS stores by June 30, 2018. Coles shortly followed suit, making a similar announcement three hours later.

It’s an environmentally-led decision says Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci. “We feel this is an issue we need to take a stand on. We currently give out more than 3.2 billion lightweight plastic bags a year and hence can play a significant role in reducing overall plastic bag usage. Today’s commitment shows we are committed to taking our environmental and community respons­ibilities seriously,” he comments.

Coles boss John Durkan is on the same page. He says that the food giant has long been interested in “exploring options for a ­sustainable, low-cost solution to help [customers] get their shopping done.”

Single-use bags will be replaced at both supermarkets by a range of reusable bags at different prices. It’s a move also followed by Harris Farm Markets who announced they will be phasing out plastic bags in January of next year. Instead disposable or reusable paper bags and cardboard boxes will be offered at checkouts.

A greener future (or one that’s a little less plastic at least) awaits.