Woolworths has partnered with South Australian manufacturer Detpak to offer customers locally made paper bags in SA and NT.
New members of the Detpak factory team Scott and Siobhan.
The move precedes a progressive national rollout of Australian-made paper bags over the next 12 months.
SA's new tote bags offer a welcome boost to local manufacturing thanks to the multi-million dollar family-owned partnership between Woolworths and Detpak.
The partnership will create at least 12 new jobs at the manufacturer's Adelaide facility and an additional 12 functions nationally as Woolworths moves nationwide to Australian manufacturing for its paper bags next year.
Woolworths' paper shopping bags were first launched in June 2020 in response to customer demand for a paper shopping bag option.
Natalie Davis, General Manager of Woolworths Supermarkets, said, “While almost all customers now bring their own reusable bags, we know that unplanned deals are still a challenge from time to time.
Detpak factory bag.
“Earlier this year we introduced the option of a paper bag that can be recycled at home and customer feedback has been positive.
"With paper bags becoming an integral part of our range, we are excited to support new South Australian jobs when we move to a local manufacturer in Detpak," said Ms. Davis.
“Our proudly manufactured bags by SA are the result of Detpak's hard work building the local capacity necessary to supply nearly 80 stores in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
"We look forward to growing our contribution to the local industry as we launch nationally made bags in Australia next year."
Woolworths has been working with Detpak since the beginning of this year to plan and build local capacity to produce the paper bags on a large scale in Australia and to support the transition to a 100 percent Australian made line nationally.
Detpak factory.
South Australia's Minister for the Environment and Water, David Speirs, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Woolworths are making paper bags here in South Australia.
“The bags will have significant environmental benefits and the fact that they are made on site is even better.
"This is another step in the right direction towards a local circular economy."
Alf Ianniello, CEO of Detpak's parent company Detmold Group, said: “Detpak is pleased to be able to localize the manufacture of Woolworths' paper bags.
“As a South Australian company with a 70 year history of local manufacturing, we are very proud to make these bags here in Adelaide.
“These bags support the transition to a circular economy and consist of 70 percent recycled content from the region.
Woolworths SA paper bag.
"And this project will be important in supporting the employment of South Australians."
The significant investment in local manufacturing to supply bags to Woolworths stores nationally will contribute to broader efforts to expand Australia's local manufacturing capacity across industries.
Detpak will continue to build capacity to take on production for the majority of Woolworths paper bags nationally as the supermarket moves to Australian-made bags in each state next year.
The bag is made from 70 percent recycled paper combined with non-recycled paper to create a stronger structure that can hold up to 6 kg of food. All paper used in the bag is responsibly sourced and certified by PEFC. This gives customers the confidence that their purchase supports sustainable forest management.
Woolworths buyers can choose from four tote bags, including the 20-cent paper bag, the Woolworths Bag for Good, reusable plastic bags made from 80 percent recycled materials, and foldable cloth bags, which are also available at the checkout.
Since Woolworths began phasing out single-use plastic bags in 2018, more than six billion bags have been withdrawn, according to Woolworths. "Only 15 percent of customers now buy a new bag in a transaction when they visit a Woolworths store," said Woolworths.
