Countdown announced it will go plastic shopping bag free on Waiheke Island starting May 23 as part of the company’s campaign to educate the community on the harmful effect of plastic on marine life.

Countdown’s operations manager for the Upper North Island, Stuart Worsnop, said the campaign will show Countdown’s support of the island’s journey to become plastic bag free.

“Each plastic bag taken out of circulation makes a difference to our marine environment so we’re keen to see locals supporting Countdown, particularly because Waiheke is doing it first in New Zealand,” said BYO Bag Waiheke Island founder, Deb Lyttle.

Waiheke local board chair, Paul Walden, said they had been pushing this kind of campaign for some time, “particularly given the unique waste challenges that the Island has”.

“It’s great to see that Countdown is supportive of our goal to be plastic bag free,” said Walden.

Countdown customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to pack their groceries in. Countdown’s reusable bags and new compostable bags will also be available for purchase in-store.