New World has announced it is committed to reducing the impact of plastic waste in our environment and is aiming to be single-use plastic bag free by the end of 2018.
According to the company, the move depends on being able to find the right bag solution to meet customers’ needs and those of the environment.
To get there as quickly as possible, New World is implementing a number of initiatives to help New Zealanders adjust to life without single-use plastic bags.
- Giving away a two million long-life reusable bags to our New World customers this summer.
- On 1 February 2018, New World will introduce a 10c voluntary donation per plastic bag at New World, which will go to environmental causes including Sea Cleaners.
- Continuing the 5c rebate for each reusable bag in our North Island New World stores, which has resulted in a 20% reduction in plastic bag use.
- Committing to promoting and expanding the Soft Plastics Recycling programme.
New World customers contribute more than two thirds of the total volume of plastic recycling in the country. The top 10 stores in the country, by volume of plastic recycling, are all Foodstuffs stores.
