22 June 2018

Masterton supermarkets will turn their backs on single-use plastic bags at the checkout next Friday as part of an initiative with Masterton District Council.

New World, PAK’nSAVE and Countdown will all be offering free reusable bags if customers bring in five plastic bags to exchange. Customers will be able to exchange at the checkout, or at a pop-up exchange tent operating at a two-hour period on Friday, 29 June 2018.

The initiative is a collaboration with shared funding between the three supermarkets, Masterton District Council and Trust House.

Mayor Lyn Patterson said working to reduce the use of plastic bags at Masterton’s supermarkets was a no brainer for the district.

“Supermarkets are where most people get the majority of their plastic bags. It’s estimated that each adult in New Zealand uses six plastic bags per week, and for only 12 minutes, on average,” Ms Patterson said.

“Focusing on reducing bags used for grocery shopping makes sense as one of our first initiatives, but we will continue to expand our focus into other areas, including how we might be able to reduce the use of council bags used for rubbish collection.

“The timing of this initiative also enables us to help our communities do their part in reducing plastic use during Plastic Free July – a global campaign encouraging people to refuse single-use plastic during the month.”

The plastic bags exchanged at the pop-up tents on Friday will be used to make reusable products such as mats.

Pop-up exchange tent times and locations, 29 June 2018

PAK’nSAVE: 9am – 11am
Countdown: 11:30am – 1:30pm
New World: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

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