Bag swap stations
Helping our community break the bag habit

New bag swap stations in local supermarkets aim to help shoppers who forget to bring their own reusable bags.

Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteers have been working with local retailers to establish the initiative.

It's a simple system, where there is a box of clean reusable bags available for shoppers to use if they forget to bring their own. They can just return the bag next time they visit the store.
Customers are also encouraged to donate their spare reusable bags for others to use.

The bag swap stations are now at the Blackalls Park Friendly Grocer, and the Boolaroo IGA. The Redhead Sustainable Neighbourhood are also working to install the stations at Redhead Village shops.

Local retailers have reported that their customers have been appreciative of the spare reusable bags.

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Set up a local Bag Swap Station

You might like to set up something similar at your local shops.

• Start by talking with your local store manager about whether they would like to be involved.
• If they are keen, find out what kind of container would suit their store. We found a nice wooden box at an op shop. You could also use a basket, or even a coat rack to hang bags on.
• Let us know where the new Bag Swap Station is going, and we will provide some posters to display. We can also add your group's logo and the shop's logo if suitable.
• Set up your station, and pop in a few reusable bags to get it started.
• Check in with the store every so often to see how it is going.
• Feel great that you are helping your community avoid the dreaded plastic bag!

Find out more about the Sustainable Neighbourhoods campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags.