Overview
Countdown was the first New Zealand supermarket brand to discontinue single-use plastic bags from its checkouts and online shopping service for good. Before the ban, the company produced a whopping 350 million plastic bags every year.
While the New Zealand Government outright banned single-use plastic bags last year, the war against environment-destroying materials is far from over. The good news is that Countdown is set to do mother nature another favour by rolling out a bring-your-own container initiative. After a six-week trial in 18 supermarkets, Countdown has announced that from today it will accept BYO containers for food sold at deli, meat and seafood service counters across the country.
Containers of all shapes and sizes are welcome — start digging through that corner cupboard — as long as they are clean and waterproof. Food hygiene is a priority with the scheme — all BYO containers will be washed by staff with dishwashing liquid and dried prior to being used.
Further initiatives from the company to reduce plastic waste include installing misting systems to remove the need for packaging on fruit and veges, and the return of the soft plastics recycling program.
Countdown's bring-your-own container scheme will roll out from today at stores across the country.