Victory!
In July, Countdown spokesperson was reported as saying ‘no’, they wouldn't stop using single-use plastic bags. This was despite their parent company, Woolworths Australia, having done so, and showing it’s possible.
Today (4 Oct 2017) Countdown announced they've come round, and are starting a phase out of plastic bags to be completed by the end of the 2018. Nice one Countdown!
Ask Countdown NZ to stop using all plastic bags in all their stores across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Why is this important?
Woolworths Australia Countdown NZ's parent company is banning single-use plastic bags. [1]
New Zealanders use around 1.6 billion single-use plastic bags every year.
Plastic bags often end up in our rivers, lakes, beaches and oceans. Plastic bags in the ocean are a huge hazard to marine life. The bags can be swallowed, wrapped around the necks or fins of marine animals. They can be mistaken for food and generally don't belong in the ocean.[2,3]
It has recently been revealed plastics were being eaten by the majority of New Zealand fish, and that a third of turtles and seabirds that washed up dead on Kiwi beaches had eaten plastic.[4]
There is strong support from local government, the retail sector, and everyday Kiwis to do something.[4]
Countdown listened to the Waiheke Island community. It is both plastic bag free and encourages the use of biodegradables.[5] Doesn't the rest of NZ deserve the same?
By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish on the ocean. Not using plastic bags is an easy thing for us to do that would make a big difference. We need to Ban The Bag before its too late.
Please help! Please take action! Countdown Waiheke Island did it, sign and share the petition asking Countdown NZ to ban the bag.
Comment on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/countdown/
Tweet @CountdownNZ #CountdownBanTheBag #BanTheBag
Phone the Countdown Customer Care Centre: 0800 40 40 40
email: [email protected]
Spread the word however you can #CountdownBanTheBag #BanTheBag
1 - Australian supermarket giant Woolworths to ban plastic bags within 12 months, 14 July 2017 https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/94756897/australian-supermarket-giant-woolworths-to-ban-plastic-bags-within-12-months
2 - Drowning our marine life in a growing sea of plastic, 27 Mar 2017 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11825914
3 - More than 9 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced since 1950, and the vast majority of it is still around, 20 July 2017 https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/94924204/Theres-literally-a-tonne-of-plastic-garbage-for-every-person-in-the-world
4 - Plastics were being eaten by the majority of New Zealand fish, 27 July 2017 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/95119319/17800signaturestrong-petition-calling-for-a-plastic-bag-levy-presented-at-parliament
5 - Countdown Waiheke Island did it, 27 July 2016 http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/82435349/after-15-years-the-wait-is-over-for-new-countdown-waiheke 24 May 2016 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1605/S00726/countdown-waiheke-is-now-plastic-shopping-bag-free.htm
How it will be delivered
In person to Dave Chambers, Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises
