From the 1st of July 2023, single-use plastic produce bags will be removed from all supermarkets and grocery stores. This is part of a wider phase-out by the New Zealand Government on single-use plastics and includes items like plastic straws and containers, saving around 150 million single-use plastic produce bags from going to landfill.
Foodstuffs, the 100 percent Kiwi-owned co-operatives behind PAK'nSAVE, New World and Four Square supermarkets, welcomes the change. Foodstuffs Sustainable Packaging Manager Debra Goulding said it's a positive move for New Zealand.
"Kiwis have adapted well to bringing their shopping bags to the store, and we're confident we can all do the same with bringing our reusable produce bags from home, too," said Goulding.
She said that Foodstuffs teams have been working hard behind the scenes to make the transition easier for Kiwis, focussing on getting the suitable systems, having people trained and providing in-store signage for customers.
Loose fruit and vegetables are sold by weight and are vitally essential. Foodstuffs customers only pay for the weight of their products and not the bag they place them in. In-store and checkout teams have been putting up signage to help customers take the proper steps to ensure they only pay for the produce they've selected.
Customers are encouraged to look out for step-by-step instructions in the produce department and around stores. If they are unsure or need help, they should ask any of the in-store team.
Despite a slight inconvenience, Goulding said she was confident New Zealanders would get behind the broader benefits of removing single-use plastic produce bags. She shares a few tips to make things easier as Kiwis shop.
Debra Goulding
Goulding gave top tips for customers coming in-store, advising them to store some produce bags inside the shopping bags customers bring from home or use for their grocery bags to hold produce until they're ready to go through the checkout.
Items like broccoli, cauliflower, or anything with a protective layer like corn can ride in your trolley or basket in the nude. Goulding advises customers to wash it when they get home.
She continued that customers should ensure they are not paying for the weight of their produce bag. There'll be signage in the store, but when customers are at the checkout, Goulding said to take the produce out of the bag, put it on the scales and weigh items.
"Pop a basket or small cardboard box in your trolley to hold your produce and separate these items from the rest of your groceries."
Lastly, she suggested customers use sturdier items in their shop, like cereal boxes, to create a barrier between produce and everything else in the trolley.
"To support the change, we'll be providing paper bags in a variety of sizes across PAK'nSAVE, New World, Four Square, Raeward Fresh and On the Spot stores for a limited time while Kiwis get into the habit of bringing their reusable produce bags. We'll also have a variety of reusable bags available for purchase in-store for customers who forget to bring one from home. The best thing to do is to bring reusable bags from home as it's the most environmentally friendly option."
Foodstuffs is committed to improving sustainability and is working hard to reduce the environmental impact of packaging across its stores. As one of the first retailers in New Zealand to sign up to the New Zealand Plastic Packaging Declaration, the co-op is working towards 100 percent reusable, recyclable or compostable retail and private label brand packing such as Pams, Value and Gilmours brands by 2025. This commitment applies to all packaging types, including plastic, fibre, glass, and metal.
Packaging serves a role in the food and grocery sector to protect goods, extend shelf-life, reduce food waste and communicate information to customers. But its packaging is designed with 'end-of-life' and the New Zealand recycling system in mind. Foodstuffs are focused on removing and reducing unnecessary packaging and investing in a circular design to ensure resources can be reused.
