Woolworths has announced that it will phase out plastic shopping bags from its supermarkets over the next 12 months.

If you forget to BYO bag, customers will be able to purchase a 20c paper bag or 99c fabric bag at the checkout.  

The phase out will happen gradually on a state-by-state basis. Plastic bags have already disappeared from stores in Western Australia, with South Australia and Northern Territory next on the list. 

The initiative will remove more than 9000 tonnes of plastic from circulation annually. 

Natalie Davis, Managing Director of Woolworths Supermarkets said the bags were introduced in 2018 to help customers adjust to the removal of single-use plastic bags from stores.

“We’ve seen a huge shift in shopping habits since we stopped giving out single-use plastic bags, with eight out of 10 customers now bringing their own bags from home,” she said.

“The reusable plastic bags have played their part and now it’s time to do away with selling plastic shopping bags at our checkouts for good.

“Bringing your own bags is the very best outcome for the environment, and we encourage our customers to keep up the great work.

“Paper bags will continue to be available for those who forget to bring their own – but ultimately we want to sell less bags altogether.”

Following suit, Big W, which is a subsidiary of the Woolworths Group, will also phase out plastic bags at all stores this year. 

Related news: Woolworths has brought back paper carry bags