Supermarket chain Countdown now offers its customers an additional way to avoid using unsafe plastics in its stores, selling a $10 basket across its chain nationwide.

The Sistema baskets are exclusively available in Countdown stores, and are made of regrind plastic – the off-cuts of the plastic moulding process which are recycled back into the manufacturing process, eliminating waste and creating a more sustainable process.

The product launch follows the supermarket’s decision to stop offering single-use plastic carrier bags in October 2019, which will see 350 million fewer plastic bags enter circulation in New Zealand annually. 

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve been focused on how we can reduce and remove as much unnecessary plastic and packaging as we can from across our business,” said Kiri Hannafin, Countdown general manager of corporate affairs, health & safety and sustainability. 

“We know that there is a lot more 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.”

Countdown has been an advocate for a more sustainable New Zealand for some time, having joined the government sponsored initiative Gen Less in order to drive businesses to reduce their climate footprint. 

The supermarket chain also said it is aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2030.