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Supermarket's bizarre new alternative after plastic bag ban flops

A supermarket chain is selling reusable plastic baskets as an alternative for single-use plastic bags.

The Woolworths-owned Countdown, which has 180 stores across New Zealand, introduced the baskets more than one year after removing plastic bags from stores in favour of reusable and paper bags.

A nationwide plastic bag ban was later introduced in July 2019.

The 18.5 litre baskets are available online or in stores for NZ$10 (AUD$9.60).

The baskets (pictured) carry 18.5litres. Source: Countdown
A supermarket chain has begun selling reusable plastic baskets as an alternative for single-use plastic bags. Source: Countdown

Kiri Hannifin, Countdown spokeswoman, told Stuff.co.nz the carriers are made of regrind plastic, which consists of plastic waste that has been fed through a plastic grinder.

“It’s stronger than virgin plastic and can be recycled at the end of life," she said.

One month after removing single-use bags from stores, Countdown revealed hundreds of shopping baskets had started going missing.

The Orewa location lost all but six of it’s baskets, and roughly 250 disappeared from a store in Lynfield, according to the publication.

Pictured is a Countdown store. Source: Getty
Countdown, which has 180 stores across New Zealand, introduced the baskets four months after removing plastic bags from stores in favour of reusable and paper bags. Source: Getty

Ms Hannifin said the introduction of the reusable baskets was not in response to the thefts.

"Selling baskets in-store isn't in response to theft, it's in response to the popularity of bringing your own shopping vessel," she said.

"Basket theft has settled as people have got used to bringing their own bags."

Countdown forms part of Woolworths New Zealand, a subsidiary of Australian company Woolworths Limited.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve been focused on how we can reduce and remove as much unnecessary plastic and packing as we can from across our business. Our phase out of single-use plastic bags from our checkouts and online was very well received by Kiwis,” Ms Hannifin told Yahoo News Australia.

Man is seen carrying reusable shopping bags. Source: AAP
New Zealand introduced a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags in July 2019. Source: AAP

“Last year, we introduced BYO containers and we have removed almost 150 tonnes of plastic from our produce section as well.

“We know that there is a lot more that needs to be done to protect our environment, so giving our customers another reusable option to carry their groceries, that is made from regrind plastic and is recyclable is a no brainer.”

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