Significant reductions in plastic bag use

31 July 2007

Foodstuffs reports significant reductions in plastic bag use

Figures released by Foodstuffs New Zealand today show that PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square stores have reduced their plastic bag usage by more than 45 million over the last two years. The figures also show a significant increase in the rate of reduction year-on-year, a trend that is expected to continue following the launch in June of a new campaign to further reduce plastic bag use.

“The reduction in the number of plastic bags used is very positive in itself, but what’s even more encouraging is the momentum they indicate,” said Melissa Hodd, Executive Manager, Foodstuffs New Zealand.

“In the first year (to June 2006) we cut plastic bag use by 16 million bags over the previous year. This year we reduced plastic bag use by a further 29 million bags to achieve a total of 45 million plastic bags over two years. This suggests that there’s a real move among our shoppers to use fewer plastic bags – a trend that the new campaign is intended to accelerate.”

The savings mean that Foodstuffs has now reduced the number of plastic bags it issues each year by 13.3%, and is well on track to meet or exceed the target set by the Packaging Accord to reduce its overall use of plastic bags by at least 20% by mid-2009.

Foodstuffs has helped shoppers to use fewer plastic bags by introducing a new packing policy. Checkout operators have been retrained to ask shoppers if they would like a reusable bag, or if they need a bag at all if they are buying four items or less. Foodstuffs’ reports show that sales of reusable bags have increased by 25% over the two year period.

Further reductions in the overall amount of plastic used have been achieved by introducing lightweight plastic bags in New World supermarkets nationally, an initiative that is being expanded to include PAK’nSAVE stores.

“As a result of people using fewer plastic bags, and the introduction of lighter-weight bags, in the year to June 2007 we used 23% less plastic for checkout bags than two years ago. That’s a saving of 679 tonnes of plastic per year,” said Ms. Hodd.

Foodstuffs’ steps to reduce plastic bag use are part of a combined drive by members of the Packaging Accord to cut down on wasteful packaging. Today Foodstuffs also reported significant progress over the last year for several other Packaging Accord initiatives, including:

* Lower micron plastic has been adopted for the roll bags used in the fresh food departments of New World and PAK’nSAVE stores, providing an estimated annual saving of 38 tonnes of plastic.

* A total of 1,240 tonnes of trade packaging was recovered within the wholesale operations (distribution centres and cash and carry outlets) operated by the Foodstuffs cooperatives. This was made up of 890 tonnes of cardboard and 350 tonnes of plastic.

* Waste audits at six metropolitan Foodstuffs stores in four cities showed an average trade packaging recovery rate of 88%. The results of the audits are being used to develop a best practice model.

* The Foodstuffs cooperatives are now all ‘live’ users of EANnet, an electronic database of product information for the goods sold in all Foodstuffs stores, including information on consumer packaging. A number of suppliers have already provided information for the database, and a supplier adoption programme has been launched to increase uptake over the next 12 months.

* In the Wellington region, Foodstuffs Wellington commissioned a customised re-useable crate to replace cardboard packaging for chicken products. The crate has now been introduced, and eliminates the need for over 230 tonnes of packaging each year that previously had to go to landfill because of contamination from the products.

“The progress that we’ve made over the last year demonstrates our commitment to protecting the environment as a New Zealand owned and operated business. Through initiatives targeting our customers, our suppliers, and our internal operations we are achieving sustainable waste reductions right across the product life-cycle,” said Ms. Hodd.

ENDS

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