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Woolworths unveils new sustainability initiatives

Woolworths Group Ltd. on June 4 outlined a number of new sustainability initiatives, including the phasing out of plastic straws, the reduction of plastic packaging on more products and the launch of a new reusable shopping bag.

The Australian supermarket operator's announcement came ahead of the start date for its move to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags in its stores over the next 12 months beginning June 20.

In connection with the move, the retailer said it will offer a new green reusable shopping bag, which customers can purchase. The bags have a lifetime replacement offer and proceeds from the sale of the bags will go toward Australia's Junior Landcare grants program.

Additionally, Woolworths said it will no longer sell plastic straws in all of its stores across Australia and New Zealand by the end of 2018.

The retailer added that it will commit to trialing the removal of plastic packaging on 80 more product lines over the next year, in addition to the establishment of a new packaging coalition roundtable to find ways to transition towards a circular economy in the country. The roundtable is expected to bring together government, non-government organizations and key industry partners, such as Unilever PLC, Nestlé SA, J. R. Simplot Co., Visy Industries Holdings Pty. Ltd. and the Australian Packaging Covenant.

"While we've made progress in reducing the amount of plastic in our stores, supported recycling labeling initiatives, and made improvements in energy efficiency, sustainable sourcing and reducing food waste, we know that more needs to be done to meet our customers' expectations," Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci said in the release.

In October 2017, the company also partnered with the Australian government in a recycling scheme that was subsequently launched Dec. 1, 2017. Under the initiative, Woolworths pledged to provide about 180 container deposit points in New South Wales.