“What makes the Woolworths plastic bags so special?” “And where are these plastic bags even made that they rank superior to single-use plastic bags?”
The Woolworths plastic bags were made in China and Vietnam. However, these bags are gradually being faded out. Most US states have imposed bans and fees on the use of plastic bags as they are considered hazardous to the environment. Single used bags had been banned as they were considered to be dangerously polluting the environment. To such an end, the Woolworths reusable plastic bags made in China and Vietnam were swarmed into the market as the main plastic bags to be used. The reason Woolworths recycle plastic bags is to encourage consumers to save their plastic bags, instead of disposing of them and setting them out into the environment which would be dangerous to the environment. Consumers are meant to return the plastic bags to the company through the soft plastic bin where they will be recycled and reused. These products were then shipped back to the Asian countries where such recycling processes occurred. The recycling process was to ensure the bags aren’t just considered waste and set aside as unusable since the logic was that it takes approximately about 1000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. And even after decomposition, it breaks down into microparticles that end up polluting the environment. Humans’ first instinct is to preserve the environment, hence the recycling of these bags in Asian countries and distribution to many parts of the world. But currently making the rounds is that not only is the ban of single used plastic bags sustained, but the whole idea of plastic bags has also been considered harmful. Therefore, legislations of different states in the US, even in the brand country – Australia – have imposed laws to ban these commercial bags that are considered harmful.
Confused as to the imposed ban by US states on plastic bags? Keep reading to know more about the imposed ban and the nature of Woolworth’s plastic bags!
What are Woolworths plastic bags made of?
Plastic bags have a considerable effect on the environment since their decomposition takes so much time. Plastic bags are made from multiple polymers that form polythene which is later melted and is used to form plastic bags.
The production process of these bags is highly rooted in the chemical mixture and chemical transformation of molecules called monomers which later combine forming a chain link called polymers. Polymers are very harmful to the environment when they have been heated or even slightly altered whether by a natural process or by human aid.
Plastic bags contain these chemical effects that even when in a decomposed state, are very dangerous to the environment. Due to this observation by Woolworths, they decided to adopt the 3 Rs of the environment:
ReduceReuseRecycle
Reduce simply means that instead of consumers adopting the attitude of profligacy, they conserve their waste products, thereby making less waste.
By reusing the consumer is encouraged to make use of the waste products, since ‘nothing is useless’.
By recycling, the consumer is encouraged to conduct the same process of conserving and reusing, instead of disposing of the waste products.
The 3R is in line with the Waste Management system currently employed by nations to ensure that the degradation of the environment is put to a halt.
Woolworths stop providing single-use plastic bags on the 1st of July, 2018 introducing their reusable plastic bags.
But the use of reusable plastic bags does not still alleviate the dangers suffered by the environment, since in general, waste plastic is harmful, and these plastic bags when in contact with the aquatic world tend to have the appearance of a hamburger in the eyes of aquatic animals, therefore are consumed. The aquatic animal dies and starts the process of decomposition on the ocean floor. The chemicals of the plastic however are stored and survive for decades.
Research has been conducted to deduce that we have a plethora of very high chemical plastic waste deposited on our ocean floor.
The Ban on plastic bags
Various states in the United States considered the harm plastic bags caused to the environment and took legislative measures to ban the use of these bags.
While most states aimed at prohibiting the use of plastic bags entirely, others considered the use of reusable plastic bags, restricting the use of single-use plastic bags. Legislations were passed to ensure that the use of single-use plastic bags was out-phased.
In the home state of Woolworths, a definitive legislative measure was pronounced to ban the complete use of plastic bags. Woolworths have adopted this idea and have begun production of another commercial bag to replace plastic bags: the Woolworths paper bags.
The use of paper bags
Woolworths has begun production of paper bags in place of reusable plastic bags. Paper bags are considered friendly to the environment as opposed to plastic bags. Production of the Woolworths paper bag takes place in the company’s home country of Australia.
The development of production of its paper bag in its home country has been considered a welcome development and it has received plaudits from Australians.
Detpak, an Australian company that engages in paper packaging owned and controlled by the Detmold family of Australia was given the license to commence the production of Woolworths paper bags.
Woolworths plastic bags are no more in vogue. At the moment, there is a strong urge by the company to discontinue the practice of the use of its plastic bags before the end of July 2022.
Although the company had initially adopted companies in China and Vietnam as the production zone of its plastic bags, currently, the company has partnered with Detpak, an Australian company, to make its paper bags.
In summary, since the desire of the world is to ensure that not only are humans comfortable today but also to protect what tomorrow tends to look like, efforts are being made all across the globe to ensure a safe environment for the lives to exist on planet earth years to come.
What are Woolworths bags made of?
Woolworths bags are made mostly of recycled paper. This is to allow customers the chance to have these bags easily recycled in their various places of residence.
Are Woolworths paper bags recyclable?
Yes. Woolworths paper bags are recyclable as they are made mostly of recycled paper.
How much does Woolworths paper bags cost?
Woolworths paper bag cost 14 cents (USD) for each bag.
Who owns Woolworths?
Woolworths Group Limited, an Australian trans-Tasman retail company that deals in groceries, food, and drinks as well as general merchandise own Woolworths.
