ConservingNow Community Change

At the beginning of August, New World stores starting charging customers 5c for plastic bags.  Since that time, the store has reported a marked decrease in the number of plastic bags being used by customers.  More importantly, the store notes that the customers were aware of the tax coming into effect and for the more part everyone seems to have accepted the tax without much fanfare.  While it may take a few weeks to adjust to taxes and bans, this is further proof that customers neither use nor want plastic bags when they are out shopping!

"Plastic bags going out the door are decreasing and reusable bags coming in are increasing at supermarkets which have introduced a charge on plastic bags.

Port Chalmers New World store manager Darryn Jones said since the 5c charge on plastic bags was introduced at the beginning of the month there had been a "huge increase" in the number of people coming in with, or buying, reusable bags.

There had also been a "major reduction" in the quantity of plastic bags the supermarket was ordering from its warehouse.

Before the change, the supermarket had been proactive about reducing plastic bag use, such as giving people who came in with recyclable bags the opportunity to go into a draw to win $100 gift vouchers.

Most people were prepared for the change and it had been well accepted by the community, Mr Jones said."

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/71198/change-reusable-bags-gaining-mom...