In honour of International Plastic Bag Free Day Pick n Pay became the first South African retailer to trial compostable bags as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags.
The one-day trial, which took place at its V&A Waterfront, replaced all plastic carrier bags, barrier bags and fruit and vegetable bags with free compostable bags made from starches, cellulose, vegetable oils and combinations. The retailer also piloted cardboard boxes, at R5 per box, as another alternative to plastic carrier bags. Commenting on the initiative Gareth Ackerman, Pick n Pay Chairman said much progress has been made since 2003 to encourage customers to move away from single-use plastic carrier bags, but much more needs to be done.Integrated waste management plans needed
“Sustainable solutions require all parties involved – retailers, government, plastic manufacturers, consumers and recyclers – to work together collaboratively – and well beyond plastic bags to all forms of waste,” he added.
Since 2003, the retailer has offered alternatives to plastic bags and created jobs in the process through township co-operatives. “We have also gone beyond recycling schemes in metropolitan areas through, for example, our Phahama Recycling project in Diepsloot. In June, we announced a wide range of initiatives to reduce the use of plastic in our stores.
“But the truth of it is that without clear integrated waste management plans, and investment in infrastructure from Government, we will never, on our own as retailers, be able to make a sustainable impact. Simply put, Government needs to intensify its commitment to recycling and waste management,” Ackerman noted.
