Overview
- Pauline Hanson posted a video of a split Woolworths paper bag, criticised the 25-cent charge, and urged supermarkets to bring back plastic bags.
- Woolworths says its paper bags have been in use since 2020, are tested to hold six kilograms, and can be recycled at home.
- The retailer encourages customers to bring reusable bags, reports about 80% already do so, and cites more than 9,000 tonnes of plastic removed annually after axing plastic bags.
- Bag rules are set by states and territories that have banned lightweight plastic bags nationwide, with supermarkets having phased out single-use options from 2018 and 15-cent bags by June 2023.
- Environmental advocates dismissed Hanson's claims, arguing the paper bag price nudges shoppers to durable reusables as stores also tighten rules on soft plastic produce bags, including recent steps in Western Australia.