Woolworth’s 15-cent reusable plastic bags will soon be gone in ACT stores, possibly by the end of the month.

The national supermarket announced today, 15 February, that all stores in the ACT and Queensland have begun to phase out the 15-cent plastic bags.

This is part of Woolworth’s commitment to remove the bags entirely from all stores nationwide by the end of June this year.

South Australia, Northern Territory, and Western Australia phased out the bags in 2022.

Over the coming weeks, Woolies will gradually run down stock of the 15-cent bags across the ACT, in a move that will see more than 130,000 kilos of plastic removed from circulation annually in the territory.

Back in 2018, the free, grey, single-use plastic bags were removed from stores, replaced solely by the 15-cent reusable plastic bags to help customers adjust to the change.

Woolworths said that eight in every ten customers now bring their own bags when they shop for groceries, meaning the reusable bags have played their part.

Paper bags will continue to be available for those who forget to bring their own and will become the default option for online orders.

There is no set date for when the plastic bags will disappear from ACT stores entirely. However, Woolworths State General Manager for the ACT and NSW, Michael Mackenzie told CW that customers may continue to see the bags in store until March.

Mr Mackenzie said that the plastic bags will continue to be available for online orders until June.

The paper bags are made from at least 70 per cent recycled paper and can carry up to 6kg of groceries – however, come June, online shoppers may need to be even more wary about leaving their deliveries out in the rain.

Get the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.