Reducing and recycling plastic
We understand the growing concerns from many of our customers about reducing plastics in our stores and we’re working hard to do just that. Whilst we’ve taken some important steps, we know there is still much more to be done to meet our customer's aspirations, as well as our own.
Goodbye 15 cents plastic bags
Removing 9,000 tonnes of plastic from circulation annually by phasing out our 15c reusable and online plastic bags.
We delivered on our commitment to stop selling 15-cent plastic bags in Australian stores by the end of June 2023, becoming the first national retailer to do so. We phased out online plastic bags at the end of 2023.
Eight in every ten Woolworths customers already bring their own bags when they shop, and we continue to encourage customers to bring their own bags when they shop. If you do forget to bring your own bags you can purchase a Woolworths paper bag or other reusable bag in store.
We’d like to thank you for supporting our commitment to growing greener, because the steps we all take now will help create a better tomorrow for future generations.
100% free of plastic straws
Woolworths was the first supermarket to stop selling plastic straws in 2018.
We also removed straws across all stores within our Woolworths Group (Supermarkets, Big W) in both Australia and New Zealand.
280 million plastic straws have been removed from circulation since 2018.
Reducing plastic on fruit & vegetables
More than 1,338 tonnes of plastic removed from produce since 2020
We’ve reduced plastic across a range of our products, including organic bananas, tomatoes, stone fruit, celery bunches, kale and organic spring onions. We’ve also replaced the plastic tray used for our Woolworths branded sweet potatoes, organic apples and some tomato varieties with a recycled cardboard tray.
This is an important start, but we know there is a lot more plastic to remove.
Some packaging is required to help reduce food waste as it protects the quality and extends the shelf life of fruit and vegetables. For example, a plastic-wrapped continental cucumber lasts three times longer than an unwrapped continental cucumber. Even though sweet potatoes are a sturdy vegetable, a layer of plastic gives them an additional 7-10 days of life.
Reducing plastic from our Own Brand range
We know that our customers are concerned about packaging waste, and plastic waste in particular. We are committed to making our Woolworths Own Brand packaging as sustainable as possible by reducing the use of virgin plastic and increasing the amount of recycled content in our Own Brand packaging. In F23, thanks to a number of projects, we’ve reduced virgin plastic in packaging by 1,880 tonnes across our Woolworths Own Brand range.
In May 2023, we launched a new sustainable packaging trial in QLD across a select number of products in the Macro Nut range. This packaging solution is paper based, with 75% less plastic and kerbside recyclable at home. The aim is for this range to be available across all stores by the end of 2024.
Recycling labels on Woolworths products
Woolworths first to commit to Australasian Recycling Label
We understand that knowing what is recyclable can be confusing, especially when an item has multiple types of packaging. That’s why we were the first supermarket to roll out an on-pack recycling label – the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).
The ARL is an evidence-based system for Australia and New Zealand that provides easy to understand recycling information when you need it most. It removes confusion, saves you time and reduces waste and valuable materials going to landfill. Each label tells you how to best recycle or dispose of each type of item of packaging using three distinct logos by Planet Ark, and you can find this label on our Woolworths branded products.
Currently, select stores are participating in a Soft Plastics Recycling Trial and accepting soft plastics packaging for recycling in store. To find out more about this trial please visit RedCycle Faqs.
Soft plastics recycling is not available in our other stores due to the collapse of REDcycle, the previous independent industry-wide soft plastic recycling scheme. Currently there is not enough access to local soft plastic recycling facilities to offer collections across all our stores, however we are working as part of the Soft Plastics Taskforce with other supermarkets and brands to find a solution.
Container deposit scheme
Container recycling near Woolworths stores
Container deposit or return schemes have been introduced to help reduce litter and landfill through recycling. Special container collection points will be placed across many states and territories with many of them conveniently located near Woolworths stores. The scheme allows customers to return eligible beverage containers to an authorised collection point for a 10c refund (exceptions will apply).
Reusable fruit and veg bags
Our reusable fruit and veg bags can help with reducing single-use plastic waste. You can replace your single-use plastic bags with reusable bags that are made using at least 80% recycled materials.
Simply purchase the bags and keep them handy for your next fruit and veg shop.
Single-use plastic picnicware removal
Removal of all single-use plastic picnicware from stores nationwide
We’re playing our part to grow even greener by reducing plastic waste. That’s why, as of November 2021, Woolworths has removed all single-use plastic tableware (like cutlery, cups, plates and bowls) from our shelves nationwide, saving approximately 2,100 tonnes of plastic from going to landfill every year. Instead, you’ll now find more environmentally friendly alternatives.
We now have a new range of 52 alternative products made from more sustainable materials available, including wooden & bagasse cutlery, as well as products made from paper, bamboo and other natural materials. Visit Party Tableware to view these products.
Composing labels on Woolworths product
Compostable products and packaging are becoming more widely available, including as replacements for single use plastic items.
What you can compost depends on your local council guidelines and the facilities available in your local area. Use Recycle Mate to easily search by your street location, to find out how best to dispose of packaging or products.
Items that carry either the home or industrially certified compostable logo can be placed in Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) kerbside collections, where your local council guidelines permit.