Adelaide’s finest supermarkets, Pasadena and Frewville Foodland have become the first supermarkets in Australia to eliminate single-use plastic fruit & veg bags throughout their stores from September 11, introducing compostable bags for fresh fruit and vegetables, deli and baked goods.

The initiative is the result of a partnership with KESAB to reduce the store’s waste and environmental impact. It will save more than 3 million plastic bags or 7 tonnes of soft plastic from going into landfill.

The certified compostable bags, which are made in South Australia by Bio-Bag, break down just like plants in a composting environment and can go straight into the household green bin or home compost bin. The bags are made from corn starch, a renewable resource, and unlike biodegradable plastic bags they do not leave microplastics or toxic residues behind.

The initiative follows Pasadena and Frewville Foodland last year becoming the first stores in South Australia to accept bring-your-own containers and discontinuing the in-house use of single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery which will be banned in early 2021 after legislation passed through the South Australian parliament this week.