The Warehouse Group has announced it is bypassing its transitional step of introducing compostable bags at checkouts and will move directly to offering only reusable bags.

The move is a significant step for the company, which operates 254 stores across its businesses, which include The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming and Torpedo7.

It coincides with the announcement that the Government is proposing legislation to ban single-use plastic checkout bags.

“We’re really chuffed to once-again be leading the charge against plastic and removing all single-use checkout bags next year,” The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery CEO Pejman Okhovat said.

“This is a historic occasion for New Zealand’s environment and we’re very proud to be standing alongside Prime Minister Arden and Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage as they propose this legislation.”

The group plans to offer a broad range of affordable, environmentally-friendly plastic-free reusable bags once it removes single-use bags.

The Warehouse introduced a charge for single-use plastic bags in 2009, with net proceeds given back to the local community. Since then, the company has donated almost NZ$4.5 million to kids’ sports teams, food banks, disability support services and many other grass-roots community organisations.

“That support will not stop with the end of single-use plastic checkout bags,” Okhovat said.

“Instead we’ll introduce new ways for our customers to support their local communities when they visit our stores.”