Northlanders happy to see the end of single-use plastic bags

Bruce and Judith Grant are avid re-usable bag fans who have tried hard to phase plastic bags out their lives. Photo / John Stone

Northland shoppers are backing the move to phase out single-use plastic bags with many already in the groove of re-usable bags.

The Government recently announced a ban on single-use plastic bags with plans to phase them out over the next year.

In the wake of that, Countdown has announced another 35 stores which will phase out single-use plastic bags from September 3, in addition to the 52 stores nationwide already single-use plastic bag free.

The Dargaville store is already single-use plastic bag free while the remaining seven Northland stores - Kaikohe, Kerikeri, Paihia, Waitangi, Tikipunga, Regent and Whangarei - are all part of the September 3 roll-out.

Customers at the Whangārei store yesterday afternoon were all very supportive of the move, and many already had re-usable bags in hand.

Judith Grant said she and husband Bruce had been using re-usable bags for about eight months and thought the move was fantastic.

"We've been really trying hard to phase out plastic bags in our lives."

Trish Hosking said it was a great idea and had a stash of re-usable bags.

"It's still handy to have the odd plastic bag around, we usually use them to line the bin."

However, she said she would find a way to work around it when the bags are phased out.

Trish Hosking thought phasing out single-use plastic bags was a great idea. Photo / John Stone

Like many, Karla Iosefo said it was just a matter of remembering to bring the bags into the store.

Jo Floyd has been using re-usable bags for years and said it becomes a new habit.

Whangārei rubbish wrangler Nicholas Connop said the move was definitely a good start.

However he said there was still plastic food wrap, plastic wrap from pallets, chip packets and other bits of plastic still getting into the environment.

Connop encouraged people to be mindful in their use of these products, which he thought would be a good idea to ban one day too.

Far North Mayor John Carter said the council supports all moves to phase out single-use plastic bags.

"We supported calls earlier this year asking the Government to develop and implement a plan to eliminate single-use plastic bags and plastic straws. We know our residents are very concerned about the impact plastics and other rubbish has on our environment, so it is great to see Countdown taking a lead to reduce the problem."

Countdown Kerikeri store manager Wayne Baatjies said that for many of his customers and team, phasing out single-use plastic bags has been long awaited.

"Our local area is a tourist hot spot, and I am proud that we are taking some meaningful action to support our community's efforts to keep the beaches and environments clean and beautiful for our visitors."

Dargaville store manager Tom Headifen said he couldn't think of any complaints he'd had to deal with since the store started its phase-out in May.

He said the store has 15 cent "last resort" bags made from recycled plastic for those who forget, or don't have anything to put their shopping in.

"Some people have brought in boxes or big plastic containers."

Jo Floyd has been using re-usable bags for years and said it becomes a new habit. Photo / John Stone

Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai said it was great that the supermarket was phasing it in ahead of the Government's timeline.

"The world is changing, people are demanding there is a reduced use of plastic."

Mai added the council has no plans to move away from its big plastic rubbish bags.

"Those plastic bags are still the best way of collecting and storing waste."

She said the bags end up in the landfill not in the ocean which is one of the big concerns with single-use plastic bags.

Countdown have also removed more than 70 tonnes of unnecessary plastic from its produce section, plan to remove single-use plastic straws by October 1, and have committed to moving its in-store bakery products into recycled plastic.