Greenpeace is offering high praise to one of New Zealand\u2019s supermarket giants today.<\/p>\n
Countdown has announced it is eliminating single use plastic shopping bags by the end of next year.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a huge boost for the campaign by Greenpeace and other organisations to \u201cban the bag\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMassive props to Countdown today. They\u2019ve taken a bold move that makes them leader of the pack on plastic reduction,\u201d says Greenpeace campaigner Elena Di Palma.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve realised how strongly the New Zealand public sees these bags as pure environmental craziness. Better than that, they\u2019ve done something about it. Good on them\u201d<\/p>\n
This move means 350 million shopping bags will be taken out of the system.<\/p>\n
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life. In one recent study, one in three turtles found washed up dead on New Zealand beaches had ingested plastic.<\/p>\n
Countdown\u2019s move gazumps tentative moves their competitors have been considering.<\/p>\n
New World is polling customers asking whether they wanted to pay a charge for single use bags. Something which Greenpeace has criticized as a weak half-measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cBanning the bag is the only answer that deals with the terrible impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and sea life,\u201d says Di Palma.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d like to see Foodstuffs New World, who are considering a 5 or 10 cent charge on bags, to match Countdown\u2019s boldness and eliminate this marine menace\u201d<\/p>\n
In its press announcement today, Countdown\u2019s Managing Director Dave Chambers said: \u201cNow is the right time to take the lead, phase out single use plastic carrier bags and introduce better options for customers\u201d.<\/p>\n
The supermarket says 83 percent of its customers support the plan.<\/p>\n
The environment has played a major role in this year\u2019s election but this new move by Countdown appears to be stronger than any of the political party\u2019s policies on single use plastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now calling on the new government to step in and regulate to completely stamp out single use plastic bags.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRegulatory action gives the best outcome for our oceans and sea life, and will mean a universal approach that is fair for all retailers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ends<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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