Retailer Woolworths has sent notice that 121 of its stores around South Africa will be going plastic-bag free from 9 November 2020.

The move comes as part of the group’s vision to have zero packaging waste-to-landfill, and for all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2022.

To reach this goal, first announced in 2018, Woolworths said it has been making ‘positive changes’ in stores, by using less packaging, less plastic material in packaging and ensuring that all out packaging is recyclable.

“In our drive to find effective solutions for more sustainable packaging, we’re proud to say that we’ve pioneered several firsts. That’s because we’re constantly working with our suppliers, our technologists, recyclers (collectors, material converters, etc.), producer responsibility organisations and other industry bodies and experts in the field to find the best way forward for us, our customers, our communities and the planet,” it said.

The retailer highlighted several changes it has already made to its packaging, which has resulted in nearly 1,600 tonnes less plastic and cardboard packaging waste being generated.

These changes include:

• Packaging in its speciality range of tomatoes now comes in a fully recyclable kraft tray made from 65% recycled paper, and a polypropylene lid. These changes resulted in 20 g less plastic per pack or 77 tonnes less plastic, per year from going to landfill.
• Redesigning most long life herbs & spices packaging, saving 364 tonnes of packaging from going to landfill.
• Replacing part of its to-go plastic packaging with recyclable paper board, printing directly on the board. Now 5.9 million fewer labels and 32 tonnes less plastic end up in landfill.
• Introducing a fully-recyclable Earth Friendly range, with all products containing a minimum of 25% recycled plastic
• Various home care products that now come in 100% recycled plastic bottles

Woolworths is now moving to the next phase of its plan, by weaning shoppers off of single-use plastic bags. It said that these will be phased out at 121 stores from 9 November, on top of the 29 stores that have already adopted the policy.

Woolworth has 452 food stores and 279 fashion, beauty and home stores across the country.

Shoppers at these stores will not be able to purchase plastic bags at till points from this date, and will have to either bring their own bags from home, or purchase longer-term multi-use options in-store, it said.

The full list of stores that will be plastic-bag free from 9 November are listed below:

Gauteng Stores

• Moreleta Village (Already in effect)
• Maroun Square (Already in effect)
• Sandton City (Already in effect)
• Nicolway (Already in effect)
• Melrose Arch (Already in effect)
• Rosebank (Already in effect)
• Mooiriver Junction (New) (Already in effect)
• Parkview Kimiad (Already in effect)
• Eastgate Jhb (Already in effect)
• Douglasdale Jhb
• Blubird Centre Jhb
• Morningsidewedge
• Hyde Park
• Graystone
• Morningside Shopping
• Benmore Gardens
• Discovery Corporate
• Cantebury Crossing
• Bryanston
• Blue Hills
• Blackheath
• Crowthorne Jhb
• Bryan Park
• Westways
• Northcliff Jhb
• Chilli Lane
• Valley Centre Jhb
• Summit Road Corp
• Olivedale Jhb
• Cedar Square
• Town Square
• Parkwood Jhb
• Randsteam Jhb
• Honeycrest Randpark
• Monilith Krugersdorp
• Grant Avenue
• Blairgowrie
• Greenside Jhb
• Ferndale
• South Downs Jhb
• Woodbridge
• Farrarmere
• Bedford Square Jhb
• East Rand Retail
• Rynfield Square Jhb
• Northmead Square Jhb
• Norkem Square Jhb
• Modderfontein
• Parkrands
• Olympus Village Pta
• Lemon Tree Alberton
• Edenmeadow
• Silver Oaks
• Faerie Glen
• Lynwood Bridge
• El Ridge Jhb
• New Redruth Alberton
• Bracken Gardens Jhb
• Menlyn Maine
• Nina Park
• Gift Acres
• Bedfordview
• Columbine Sq
• Atterbury
• Sunward Park
• The Club Waterkloof
• Linksfield
• Castle Walk
• Green Valley
• Castle Gate (New Store Opening End November)

KwaZulu Natal Stores:

• Delcairn (Already in effect)
• Midlands Mall (Already in effect)
• Lillies Quarter
• Kensington Drive
• Mc Keurtan Ave
• Cascades Centre Pmb
• Granada Centre Dbn
• Howick
• Hayfields
• Sunningdale
• Westville Mall
• Mount Edgecombe
• Windermere
• Bulwer Road
• Cowey Road
• Amanzimtoti Cbd
• Seadoone
• Mt Richmore Salt Rock
• Hilton
• Woodburn KZN
• Balito Lifestyle

Western Cape Stores:

• Constantia Emporium (Already in effect)
• Steenberg Village (Already in effect)
• V&A Waterfront (Already in effect)
• Hout Bay (Already in effect)
• Pinelands (Already in effect)
• Blue Route Mall (Already in effect)
• Tyger Valley (Already in effect)
• Canal Walk CT (Already in effect)
• Plettenberg Bay (Already in effect)
• Knysna Mall (Already in effect)
• Cavendish Square (Food Market – Already in effect)
• Paarl Mall (Food Market- Already in effect)
• Table Bay Mall (Food Market – Already in effect)
• Constantia Village
• Waterstone S/west
• Palmyra Road
• Gardens CT
• Park & Shop
• Big Bay
• Fishhoek
• Willowbridge
• Capricorn Square
• Old Bakery
• Cobble Walk
• Kloof Street CT
• The Sanctuary
• Colosseum CT
• Paddocks
• Laborie Centre Paarl
• Okovango Crossing
• Glen Garry
• Parklands
• Soneike
• Laguna Mall
• Foreshore
• Wellington
• Dean Street
• Sunset Beach
• Sir Lowrys Pass
• Franschhoek
• Rondebosch Corp
• Camps Bay
• Simonstown
• Main Rd Kenilworth
• Sitari CT
• Richmond

Northern Cape Stores:

• North Cape Mall

Eastern Cape Stores:

• Walmer Park (Already in effect)
• Access Park (Already in effect)
• PE Gardens
• Sunridge Village
• Hibiscus Mall

Mpumalanga Stores:

• Ilanga Nelspruit (Already in effect)
• Riverside Nelspruit (Already in effect)
• Nelspruit Crossing
• White River Crossing
• Ben Fleur

Free State Stores:

• Langenhoven Park BFN
• Preller Sq Bloem