{"id":647579,"date":"2022-11-30T14:21:52","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T12:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=647579"},"modified":"2022-12-01T10:12:06","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T08:12:06","slug":"woolworths-rolling-out-new-shopping-bag-changes-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/647579\/woolworths-rolling-out-new-shopping-bag-changes-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Woolworths rolling out new shopping bag changes in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Woolworths will be rolling out two new reusable and recyclable shopping bag projects to over 200 stores across South Africa \u2013 which include a drop-off site for worn bags to be recycled and the ‘Bring a bag\/Take a Bag’ initiative.<\/p>\n

Last year, Woolworths started engaging with local recyclers to test various second-life products for its reusable bags and trialling recycling ‘drop offs’ at tills in selected stores.<\/p>\n

The objective of the trial was to test Woolworths’ reverse logistics system, as the bags need to be returned with other recyclable store waste back to its distribution centres, where it is then sorted before moving onto recyclers for second life trials, said Latiefa Behardien, Woolworths foods chief technology and sustainability officer.<\/p>\n

“The reusable bag recycling drop-off project has been rolled out to 150 stores nationwide, in the hopes to have the opportunity to test various second life options on a bigger scale to finalise the best option for the worn reusable bags and close the circle,” said Behardien.<\/p>\n

Regarding Woolworths Bring a bag\/Take a Bag initiative, the retailer recently trialled the project in four stores in Cape Town, which was well-received, it said.<\/p>\n

“According to customer feedback, the bag sharing trail was beneficial, as it offers them the opportunity to drop off their excess reusable bags that are still in good condition for other customers who have forgotten theirs to use and return after that,” said Behardien.<\/p>\n

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In light of this positive feedback, Woolworths will be incorporating this project in 104 stores across South Africa. Behardien added that all the in-store housing equipment for the bags is made from recycled content, which used to be yoghurt tubs, toothpaste tubes or chip packets that would otherwise end up in a landfill.<\/p>\n

“The objective of our reusable shopping bag initiative is to change consumer behaviour and to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic. All our food markets are single-use plastic shopping bag free, which has resulted in a substantial increase in the demand and use of reusable shopping bags.<\/p>\n

“These two new additions to our goal for zero packaging waste will help ensure that the broken or worn reusable bags are disposed of responsibly and given a new life \u2013 including for excess bags to be reused, reducing the need to purchase more,” added Behardien.<\/p>\n

“While recycling alone cannot solve the world’s pollution problems, it has significant potential to impact cleaning up our waste systems, creating jobs and reducing the use of virgin plastics. Every step of the way helps to bring about a cleaner, safer country for all,” she said.<\/p>\n

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