We are proud to officially be plastic bag free at registers, following overwhelming consumer support for the #BanTheBag campaign last year.
We no longer have any single-use plastic bags as an option for customers, instead, we're now encouraging all consumers to #BYOBAG or take a recycled box.
We’ve been a long-term supporter of reducing plastic bag use, including previously partnering with Clean Up Australia on the issue, always having alternative carry bag options at the checkout and calling on the NSW Government for a statewide ban.
Our co-CEOs Angus, Luke and Tristan Harris are proud to be honouring the promise of being plastic bag free at registers in 2018 after campaigning for customers to make more sustainable choices at the checkout for many years.
“We’re proud to be the first major grocery retailer to remove plastic bags at registers entirely, and we are humbled by the overwhelming response from our customers in supporting the #BanTheBag movement. We are all in this together and believe that we can make a huge impact as we continue to drive change within our stores and nationwide,” Tristan says.
“Our decision to remove plastic bags has resulted in an immediate positive change and we encourage all Australian retailers and shoppers to get on board to totally #BanTheBag from registers. We consciously chose to eliminate any and all plastic bag options, unlike competitors who now offer them at a cost to consumers.
We also believe it’s vital the NSW Government enacts a full ban to avoid facing an alarming future. We see it as our collective responsibility to decrease our environmental footprint given there is still so much that needs to be done to protect our precious environment and marine wildlife.”
Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman and founder of Clean Up Australia (pictured above with our Co-CEO Tristan Harris), commented: “Today's announcement is an outstanding achievement. We congratulate Harris Farm Markets and their shoppers as we all work together towards a statewide ban of plastic bags.”
“Harris Farm Markets has paved the way for other retailers to set the same example and join us in challenging the NSW Government in a total ban. This is an exciting result and a fantastic example of tangible change from Harris Farm Markets that is already having a positive impact.”
To support customers during this transitional period, our family-owned stores have introduced free reusable paper bags but continue to encourage customers to bring their own bags as the best possible environmental option. All stores will continue to offer a broad range of reusable BYO bag options, including shopping bags and produce roll bag alternatives for sale and free cardboard boxes (check 'em all out below).
We will continue to educate our customers in-store about the campaign and encourage them to #BYOBAG or purchase from the broad range of BYO / reusable bag options available (check 'em all out below). You can also learn more via the Clean Up Australia website.
#BANTHEBAG | #BYOBAG
