Major change coming to Woolworths checkouts in environmentally friendly move

The major retailer is looking to be more environmentally friendly with a major shake up coming to stores nationally.

Woolworths will stop selling plastic bags at the checkout as it moves to phase out the 15 cent bags over the next year.

The major retailer will gradually make the change across its stores nationally with customers needing to buy either a 20 cent paper bag or 99 cent fabric one instead.

Currently, more than 9000 tonnes of plastic is used to make the bags each year.

Woolworths supermarkets managing director Natalie Davis said the company was proud to commit to the change that would help the environment.

She said more than 80 per cent of customers already brought in their own bags to shop with.

Woolworths has announced it will completely phase out the sale of its 15 cent plastic bags. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Customers tell us they want us to be the most sustainable supermarket, and reducing plastic is a massive part of that,” she told Sunrise.

“The paper bags, if they do get into the environment, they are much safer for marine life. That is why we are trying to move away from the plastic and get everyone to bring their own bags.

“We are looking to see how we continue to update our bag range to make it easier and more functional for our customers.”

The major retailer has encouraged shoppers to bring their own bags. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Western Australia is the first Australian jurisdiction that has begun phasing out the use of plastic bags in time for the State Government’s mandate that comes into effect at the end of this month.

Big W, part of the Woolworths Group, will also follow suit with the plastic bags being phased out nationally by the end of June 2023 and introduce additional bag options.

The move comes ahead of World Environment Day this Sunday.