Target to drop all plastic bags

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,27753,25412647-31037,00.html

DEPARTMENT store Target will stop giving customers plastic bags at the checkout from next month, a move which will save 100 million bags from the landfill each year.
The change will apply to all of the 283 Target and Target Country stores across Australia from June 1.

Target managing director Launa Inman said the move followed a successful trial in the company's South Australian stores in December.

It also comes as South Australia prepares to go plastic bag-free at all retail outlets on Monday.

"We all have a role to play in reducing our impact on the environment," Ms Inman said.

"Target has been actively involved for some time in programs to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags, such as the National Packaging Covenant and Say no to plastic bags campaign. However we still hand out far too many.

"So for Target it wasn't a matter of if we stop issuing plastic shopping bags, it was a matter of when, and the when for Target is now."

She said customers would have the choice of bringing their own bags, buying a compostable bag for 10 cents or buying a range of reusable Red Bags, with all profits from those going to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

The foundation uses the money to give children who find themselves in emergency care bags of essential personal items.

A national Ban the Bag campaign will also be launched by environmental action group Do Something.

Do Something founder and chairman Jon Dee said the campaign called for governments across the country to follow South Australia's lead in banning plastic bags and encouraged other retailers to stop offering them.

He said Australia was ready for a ban, with a number of retailers including Aldi, Bunnings and Ikea already plastic bag-free.

"Target's national ban and the statewide South Australian ban show that we have reached a tipping point where a national ban on plastic bags is now inevitable," he said.

"Plastic bags are now moving on to the endangered species list.

"Such a ban would benefit marine creatures such as seals, whales and turtles, many of whom die every year by ingesting plastic bags that are mistaken for food sources such as jellyfish."

I think all department stores should do this. I don't mind paying for a reusable bag if the money goes to charity.

great idea!
I'm with you Sue, I don't mind buying bags for charities!

If plastic bags aren't available people will remember the re-useable ones!

good!

This is such a good idea. Some people might get sick of having to buy a reusable bag at the checkout and i think that will be a good incentive to remind people to bring their own.

I think its a great idea I have heaps of green bags I just forget to take them with me lol

I'm all for it to a degree...once they're wiped out I'm guna have to buy rubbish bags!
We sell them at work too and people have just started interest in them again buying them.