Coles flips again on plastic bag ban, puts end date on freebies

Coles has once again sounded the death knell for free plastic bags at its checkouts, with the supermarket saying it will start charging 15 cents for "reusable" bags later this month.

Coles will start charging for "reusable" plastic bags from August 30.

The latest decision comes after the supermarket chain provoked the wrath of environmentalists by saying it would give bags away for free indefinitely while customers got used to bringing their own.

Read the story by Patrick Hatch from The Age - “Coles flips again on plastic bag ban, puts end date on freebies.”

Asda sets out new plans to reduce plastic waste

Asda, one of the UK’s largest food retailers, has become the latest supermarket to announce immediate plans to reduce plastic waste in its stores.

The supermarket’s new plan, released this week, pledges to reduce the amount of plastic in its packaging by 10 percent this year.

It will do this by implementing a range of measures, including replacing 2.4 million plastic drinking straws with paper; launching reusable coffee cups; and phasing out single-use carrier bags.

All single-use cups and plastic cutlery will also be removed from its offices in 2018, and in stores by the end of 2019.

Read the ClimateAction story - “Asda sets out new plans to reduce plastic waste.”