The cost of visiting the supermarket is about to get more expensive
As many Aussie shoppers welcome the single-use plastic bag ban in Woolworths and Coles, one expert has warned that pensioners will be hardest hit by the change as they are forced to budget for reusable bags.
Shoppers will no longer receive free single-use grey plastic bags as the two supermarket giants remove them from stores across the country.
Woolworths customers can now opt for a 15c reusable plastic bag or 99c foldable bag.
The National Seniors Australia’s chief advocate, Ian Henschke, said the small cost of reusable bags will add up for those on a low income.
“It is another cost that will hit older people, particularly aged pensioners who are struggling on fixed incomes to survive,’’ Mr Henschke said.
“Although it may seem like a small amount of money when you are getting a very small amount of money, that is something you don’t need to pay a bit extra for.”
He added, “It’s going to mean they have less money to spend on the things like the food in the bags.”
Woolworths is leading the charge of the ban, with free grey plastic bags no longer available in stores from today.
Coles will remove all single-use plastic bags from stores nationally by July 1.
The single-use plastic bag ban is a response from the supermarkets to reduce the impact of plastic on the environment. The ban follows the example of Bangladesh, Rwanda, China, Taiwan, some US states, Macedonia, Kenya and some western European countries.
Financial comparison website Canstar Blue’s spokesman, Simon Downes, said that Aussie shoppers will experience a “culture shock” in the days that follow the ban.
“It’s a change that’s going to take a while for people to adjust to,’’ he said.
“No longer are you just budgeting for food and groceries, you need to make sure you factor in the cost of buying bags.
“No one can doubt that banning single-use plastic bags is good for the environment but if you’re personally not careful, it’s not going to be very good for your supermarket spending.”
Shoppers who previously used the grey plastic bags as bin liners should also add bin bags to their shopping budget.
A Woolworths spokesman said any leftover single-use plastic bags will be turned into “an array of long-lasting, Australian-made, sustainable products for use in our stores or in our communities”.
What are your thoughts on the single-use plastic bag ban? Let us know in the comments below.