Things are Looking Up Down Under
Australian Supermarkets reduce plastic pollution
A pair of supermarket giants have revealed super plans to slash the amount of plastic they use to cover and cart food products – and to feed the needy with foods that currently end up in the trash.
Executives at Coles and Woolworths say their chains are listening to customers’ concerns and taking the steps needed to slow the plastic pollution juggernaut that’s endangering our planet.
That’s the good news.
The bad news – this exciting move is taking place in the land of Oz, Dorothy. Yes, these supermarket chains are Australian, so while things are looking up Down Under they remain fairly status quo here in the states.
According to a feature in the Sydney Morning Herald, "The retailers … committed to going further than their previous announcements to ditch single-use plastic bags in response to demands from consumers."
"Coles pledged to reduce plastic wrapping on fruit and veggies, including bunches of bananas, kale and silverbeet, and replace meat and poultry product packaging with recycled and renewable materials."
"… rival Woolworths says plastic straws would be banned by the end of this year, while its program to remove plastic wrap from fruit and vegetables will be expanded to include another 80 products."
Coles will also use surplus food to provide about 100 million meals to people in need.
America’s supermarkets need to pay heed and cut down on the plastic footprint that’s kicking our oceans and coastlines to the curb.