Balgowlah Coles sets example for upcoming statewide plastic bag ban rollout

A Coles supermarket on Sydney’s northern beaches is the first in NSW to ban single-use plastic bags.

Coles Balgowlah is the first in NSW to stop using single-use plastic bags.

SINGLE-USE plastic bags are now a thing of the past at Coles Balgowlah.

As of Monday, grocery shoppers of Coles — based at the Stockland Balgowlah Shopping Centre — were met with a range of reusable bags at check-outs, following a company-wide decision to reduce its carbon footprint on the environment.

While the food mart at Balgowlah is the first Coles outlet in the state to remove single-use carry bags, state general manager Orlando Rodriguez said the initiative would rollout at all stores in VIC, NSW, WA and QLD on July 1.

Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan, Balgowlah Coles Store Manager Phil Borg and state Coles GM Orlando Rodriguez in Balgowlah.

Mr Rodriguez added the initiative — delivered in partnership with SecondBite, Little Athletics, Guide Dogs Australia and Clean Up Australia — would bring 243 NSW stores in line with Coles outlets in SA, TAS, the NT and ACT, where bans on single-use plastic bags have been legalised.

“We’ve rolled this out a little earlier at Balgowlah so, when the rest of the stores go live, we understand community feedback and are prepared for a successful transition on July 1,” he said.

“It just made sense to trial the initiative at a store where a lot of customers already use reusable bags and care so much for the environment.”

Clean Up Australia chairman and founder Ian Kiernan added he could not be more pleased to see another supermarket giant implement a plastic bag ban.

Clean Up Australia Day chairman and founder Ian Kiernan.

Harris Farm Markets removed single-use plastic bags from NSW stores in January, he added, and Woolworths will follow by implementing the ban on June 20 as well.

Each year, more than five billion plastic bags are used at check-outs, with less than four per cent being recycled.

“While Australians hate being told what to do, they loved being informed so they can make their own decisions and outrun the regulator — that is exactly what this initiative is all about,” Mr Kiernan said.

“We’re definitely putting our hands together for Coles in taking a step forward in becoming more environmentally friendly.

“They’re setting a great example for other retailers to follow.”

For shoppers who forget to take their own bags, Coles will have a range of reusable bags — made from 80 per cent recycled material and are recyclable through the RED cycle bins at Coles stores — available for 15c each.