Bunnings to charge plastic bag levy from tomorrow

For immediate release: 30 April 2007

Bunnings to charge plastic bag levy from tomorrow

- Millions fewer plastic bags in landfills and more resources for Keep New Zealand Beautiful-

From tomorrow, 1st of May 2007, all Bunnings stores nationwide will start charging a ten-cent levy on plastic checkout bags, with proceeds benefiting Keep New Zealand Beautiful.

The move is part of Bunnings’ environmental initiative to eliminate all plastic bags from stores by the end of 2007, a move that will potentially prevent millions of plastic bags going to New Zealand landfill each year.

Bunnings is the first major New Zealand retailer to move to plastic bag free and general manager Brad Cranston says response to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We have had strong public support for the move and hope that our lead on this environmental issue will encourage other retailers to do more,” says Mr Cranston.

“By implementing the levy and phasing out the use of plastic bags in our stores we can prevent millions of bags ending up in landfill or as litter on our beaches, streets and parks.”

The levy will be in place from 1 May with all funds going to Keep New Zealand Beautiful to assist with litter abatement and environmental programmes. On 1 January 2008 Bunnings will totally eliminate the use of plastic checkout bags across all New Zealand stores.

Hon. Roger McClay, chairman of Keep New Zealand Beautiful, is thrilled with the proactive stance Bunnings is taking on this important environmental issue.

"It's an ambitious plan but I fully expect to look back at year's end and be satisfied that we achieved the goal. And if Keep New Zealand Beautiful and Bunnings can do this together, wouldn't that set a great example for other companies and individuals to decide that it's time for great efforts for the environment from all of us.“

Bunnings’ approach to reducing plastic bag usage has been two-fold. In late 2005 Bunnings introduced red and green reusable bags and, in the last 12 months, approximately 7,000 have been sold. More than half of these reusable bags have been sold in the past four months, indicating a positive trend towards reusable bags among the New Zealand population. Bunnings also provides recycled cardboard boxes as another alternative for customers.

ENDS

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