Publications

Plastic check-out bag use in non-supermarket retail outlets

Planet Ark Environmental Foundation for the
Department of the Environment and Heritage, March 2005

The survey – Key results: 2

We will identify potential suppliers of plastic bag free alternatives who non-supermarket retailers can approach to help them with their transition away from using plastic check-out bags.

• Findings

Findings

• 35 of the 129 retailers questioned (27%) do not currently provide any plastic bag alternatives for customers.
• 21 of these 35 retailers (60%) are now thinking of offering plastic bag alternatives in their outlets.
• 51% of the 35 retailers who do not offer plastic bag alternatives, stated that they would consider degradable bags to be the best plastic bag alternative option for their outlets.
• 11 out of these 35 respondents (31%) also stated that they would consider using calico in their outlets. A further 11 (30%) stated that they would consider using paper bags.

As a result of our research for this report, Planet Ark have compiled a list of ‘plastic bag alternative’ suppliers, right across Australia. Their contact details are listed on the Planet Ark website at www.planetark.com/retailers

Planet Ark has also provided contact details and websites, where available, for each plastic bag alternative supplier. This way, non-supermarket retailers can access the website and directly contact suppliers of the various alternatives to plastic bags.