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Woolworths announces major changes to reusable shopping bags in WA

Woolworths has announced major changes to its reusable plastic shopping bags in the coming weeks as the supermarket strives to make a "better tomorrow".

The supermarket giant has revealed it will scrap 15-cent reusable plastic bags across all Western Australia stores from July.

In New South Wales, a complete ban on single-use plastic bags will come into effect from June.

Shopper holds Woolworths plastic shopping bag in street
Woolworths will scrap 15-cent reusable plastic bags across all WA stores from July. Source: AAP

The change will impact NSW stores that still provide single-use shopping bags to customers, as most major supermarkets already made the switch to thicker reusable plastic bags in 2018.

However, Woolworths assured customers that its 15-cent reusable bags won't be affected by the NSW legislation.

Woolworths shoppers leave supermarket with plastic bags
Woolworths recently introduced compostable fruit and vegetable bags in its SA stores. Source: AAP

As part of its sustainability push, Woolworths recently introduced compostable fruit and vegetable bags in its South Australian stores.

Despite removing up to 70 tonnes of plastic from landfill annually, the food retailer has not announced any plans to roll out compostable fresh produce bags to other states.

Woolworths to power SA stores with renewable energy

Woolies has also announced that its South Australian stores will be powered using 100 per cent renewable energy from July, with plans for other states to follow suit by 2025.

The news comes as the supermarket chain enters a new partnership in South Australia, under which energy will be sourced from Iberdrola Australia's wind turbines and solar network at the newly developed Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park.

Across the park, 50 turbines and 250,000 solar panels will work together to supply approximately 100,000 Megawatt hours of renewable electricity annually on the retailer's behalf.

Woolworths team standing at wind turbines
Woolworths has announced that its South Australian stores will be powered using 100 per cent renewable energy from July. Source: Woolworths Group

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the switch to "clean energy" is the latest in the state's list of environmentally conscious efforts.

"This is the way the world is moving. Private capital is now leading the charge in backing clean energy, which presents a big opportunity for South Australian jobs," he said. "Which is why the State Labor government is working to ensure we maintain our position as a national leader on renewable energy."

'Better for the planet'

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci said the move is part of the supermarket's broader goal of powering its entire operations with renewable electricity by 2025.

"South Australia has helped lead the transition to renewable energy in Australia, combining solar, wind and batteries to enable us to make this leap forward in our mission to be powered entirely by renewable sources by 2025," said Mr Banducci.

Woolworths shopper exits supermarket on phone
Woolworths is committed to making shopping better for the environment. Source: AAP

He added: "Our customers want us to make shopping better for the planet, and renewable energy is one of the key ways we're boosting sustainability."

Woolworths Group has also pledged to make its operations net carbon positive by 2050 – meaning it will remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces.

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