Reusable bag sales soar as plastic surcharge hits shoppers

Shoppers are moving away from using plastic bags following the introduction of charges by several major retailers, while sales of reusable alternatives are reaching into the millions.

Foodstuffs, which owns Four Square, New World and Pak'nSave, began charging customers for bags on August 3 - a decision which, despite some complaints, has already led to a significant reduction in plastic bag use.

The Warehouse, which began charging 10c a bag in April, says the number handed out plunged to 27.4 million in the year to July 31 from 47.3 million in the previous 12 months.

Foodstuffs managing director Tony Carter said it was too soon to provide figures on how much plastic bag use was affected by the charges but the company had been selling a lot more reusable bags.

"As you would expect, we have had a few complaints, however we are delighted that our customers have largely been very supportive of the introduction of the charge.

"Many were already bringing reusable bags to the supermarket and we believe that they recognise the environmental reasons for introducing the charge."

At Victoria Park New World this week, several customers held their shopping in their hands, having declined to pay for a bag. Others were holding reusable bags.

Ron Berking said he bought two plastic bags but the charge put him off using more. "It's just a bit annoying."

Trevor Johnston, sustainability manager for The Warehouse, said that in the nine months to April 30, the company sold 511,000 reusable bags, compared with 127,000 for the same time a year earlier.

Mr Johnston said the company had already generated about $130,000 from selling plastic bags, which would be donated to community groups selected by each store.

There is no automatic charity element in the sale of reusable bags, although the company recently sold about 50,000 "Kids Can" reusable bags which carried a donation to the charity.

However, he said bigger challenges lay ahead.

"The risk for everyone doing this is what happens when customers get conditioned to the charges? Once they become accustomed to that 10c charge, will it continue to provide the incentive we want to reduce the demand for plastic bags?"

Progressive Enterprises (Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown) is not planning to charge customers for bags.