All Australian retailers should choose to follow Woolworths’ lead and reintroduce paper bags and packaging, the renewable and environmentally friendly solution, and help kickstart the Australian economy as the nation reopens in the wake on the CoVid-19 pandemic. Source: Timberbiz
From 3 June 2020 Woolworths customers across the nation have had the option of purchasing FSC certified paper shopping bags. All paper used has been sourced responsibly, as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, with recycled paper used in conjunction with non-recycled paper to provide a stronger structure.
The bags have been tested to carry up to 6kg worth of groceries. Made from 70% recycled paper, each bag costs 20 cents and will supplement Woolworths’ existing reusable plastic bags.
Chief Executive of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) Ross Hampton said Woolworths was to be congratulated for leading retailers down the sustainability path by “going back to the future” and reintroducing paper shopping bags.
“Any shopper who cares for the environment will want to head to Woolworths,” Mr Hampton said.
“It is terrific too that Woolworths is working hard at ensuring that it can order these bags from Australian manufacturers. That will help both the environment and the Australian economy and that’s the win, win most consumers will give a big tick to.”
Mr Hampton said every extra Australian paper product which could be used by businesses meant jobs were saved right along the supply chain, which reached back to the regional communities which processed the forest products which becomes paper bags and other materials.
“We urge the other major retailers and all businesses to look at all of their paper products and ask whether they can also be made in Australia. That goes for everything from printing paper to packaging, to toilet tissue and paper towel, to point of sale displays, to coffee cups and even the paper they use for their catalogues,” Mr Hampton said.
