·Personal Finance Editor
Updated ·2-min read
Woolworths has decided to discontinue selling its iconic green Bag For Good, leaving shoppers upset with the change.
The $0.99 green bag has been a favourite for many customers, with its guarantee to be replaced free if it gets damaged.
The popular item is set to be replaced by a different $0.99 option made from 70 per cent recycled materials.
Also read: Woolworths and Coles prices jump 8 per cent
Also read: Simple way to save $75 a month on groceries
Also read: The trick that's saving Aussies $1,300 a year on groceries
One customer reached out to Woolworths on Twitter to complain about the change.
“What happened to the non-woven bag for good with free replacement on damage,” the user wrote.
“The option of polypropylene bag feels much weaker. The bag for good has long been my favourite, in all the years I’ve had them I’ve only needed to replace one.”
Had to buy a bag at @woolworths yesterday. What happened to the non-woven bag for good with free replacement on damage. The option of polypropylene bag feels much weaker. The bag for good has long been my favourite, in all the years I’ve had them I’ve only needed to replace one.
— Pete Miller (@millerpete) October 19, 2022
Single-use plastics phased out
The change comes as Woolworths and Coles continue to phase out single-use plastics in their stores.
The current reusable plastic shopping bags will be phased out gradually state-by-state from Woolworths supermarkets, Metros, and online orders.
By June 2023, Woolowrths aims to no longer be selling the $0.15 reusable plastic shopping bags.
Woolworths managing director Natalie Davis said the reusable plastic bags were introduced back in 2018 to help customers adjust to the removal of single-use plastic bags from stores.
“We’ve seen a huge shift in shopping habits since we stopped giving out single-use plastic bags, with eight out of 10 customers now bringing their own bags from home,” Davis said.
“The reusable plastic bags have played their part and now it's time to do away with selling plastic shopping bags at our checkouts for good.”
Davis said bringing your own bag was the best outcome for the environment, but paper bags would remain available.
“But, ultimately, we want to sell less bags altogether,” she said.
“We know the change may be an adjustment for some customers and that’s why we’re phasing this change in over the coming year.”
Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to the free Fully Briefed daily newsletter.
