MACRO WHOLEFOODS MARKET SUPPORTS PETER GARRETT'S CALL FOR THE BANNING OF PLASTIC BAGS
Macro is the only national supermarket chain using paper bags at their registers proving it's commercially viable to use alternatives
Friday 11th January 2008: Australia's largest organic retailer, Macro Wholefoods Market, fully supports Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett's call for a complete ban on plastic bags by the end of the year, stating that it is not only achievable but also commercially viable.
Macro Wholefoods Market, with nine stores and cafe's across NSW and VIC, has used paper bags at its registers since 2003. The bags are 100 per cent biodegradable and compostable and are made out of recycled and sustainable fibres, with glue and inks that are water-based. In addition to this, Macro provides cardboard boxes for groceries, free of charge, and for those that prefer reusable options, sells organic cotton and calico shopping bags. As a further encouragement to shoppers to bring their own reusable shopping bags with them, Macro offers a 2c bag refund for the every bag filled at the register.
Macro Wholefoods Market Executive Chairman Pierce Cody says, "Getting rid of plastic bags is an enormously positive move for businesses around Australia. We adopted environmentally friendly alternatives long ago with our reuse/reward program and paper bag offer.
Macro is dedicated to environmental initiatives within our business. We are keenly watching technological developments in packaging, in order to replace them with biodegradable/recyclable alternatives. This year, we are also moving to more environmentally friendly packaging in our own Macro branded products (muesli, flour, etc). About 200 lines will transition to the new packaging (which will have the recycling code 5 visible on them). We also have bulk hoppers in all of our stores for customers to re-fill reusable containers with cereals, nuts and grains. We don't believe there is a downside to Minister Garrett's proposal. People only use plastic bags because they are on offer. Once they are removed from stores, retailers and consumers will naturally make the switch to more eco-friendly alternatives without any significant disruption."
In response to claims that plastic bags are not as harmful as commonly believed, Cody says, "Of course they're harmful - the traditional kind take over 500 years to break down in landfill. The ideal situation would be everyone shopping with reusable bags, boxes or trolleys but until we reach that point, paper bags are a much better alternative to plastic."
