Do you really need a checkout bag?

News release
May 9, 2007

Do you really need a checkout bag?

A New Zealand supermarket operator expects to reduce the number of plastic checkout bags by 400,000 a week simply by asking customers buying three items or less if they need a bag.

Progressive Enterprises plans to introduce the programme to all its 156 Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarkets nation-wide.

Mark Brosnan, who is Progressive’s general manager of merchandise, says if customers need a bag, they will be given one as the company has in the past.

As part of the Packaging Accord, Progressive has pledged to reduce the number of plastic bags it issues by 20 per cent by August 2008. In the last 12 months Progressive has reduced the number of bags issued by seven per cent.

“We are asking our customers to support us with this new initiative,” Mr Brosnan says. “Our trials in Hamilton have resulted in 85 per cent of customers saying ‘no’ to a checkout bag when buying three items or less.

“We have found that customers using a car generally say no bag is needed, whereas customers who have walked to the supermarket need a bag to carry the items home.

“At the checkouts we are taking a commonsense approach, if customers are buying items where a bag is needed, for example ice-cream, meat and a lettuce, a bag will be provided automatically.

“There is some staff training involved and there will be information for shoppers at the point of purchase. However, we expect the programme to quickly gain pace as people become aware of it,” Mr Brosnan says.

“Checkout operators in all our supermarkets are now encouraged to ask shoppers with three items or less whether or not they want their purchases in a plastic bag.”

The three-bag programme is one of a number of ‘eco’ initiatives Progressive has in place.

Amongst other things, the company’s checkout operators are encouraged where they can to pack on average seven items in each plastic bag. Progressive’s most recent figures show that for its current trading year, the Pack 7 programme resulted in a saving of an average 556,000 plastic shopping bags every week.

Shoppers are also encouraged to buy reusable green ‘eco’ bags for a nominal sum and to take them with them every time they shop.

ENDS

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