We’ve said goodbye to single-use plastic checkout bags and boot liners because it’s better for the environment.

We’ve made this change because it’s better for the environment, and we’re regularly looking for ways we can do better in this space.

It’s going to take us all some time to adjust so to help keep shopping with us hassle-free, we’ve got alternative options available in store to ensure you’re not caught short.

You can of course choose to bring your own bag, but you are also able to purchase one of our reusable bags for $1.00, and most stores will have cardboard boxes available and all of our stores with garden centres will have rolls of paper that you can a tear a sheet from to help keep your car clean.

We take our impact on the environment seriously and this is just one part of our commitment to help look after the planet where we can.

 

 

Supporting the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme

Mitre 10 is a member of the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme which collects plastic bags and other soft plastics through in store collection points. At the moment, only some of our stores have collection points, but we are working with the programme operators to increase the number of stores that do. If you’re local store hasn’t got one yet and you’ve got plastic to recycle, you can find collection points at most supermarkets.

For further information visit: https://www.recycling.kiwi.nz/updates/soft-plastics-recycling-landing/

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FAQs

1. Why has Mitre 10 made this change?
   As the country’s biggest home improvement retailer, we take our duty to be socially responsible seriously and always strive to do the right thing by our customers, communities and the environment. There is mounting concern about the impact of plastic on the environment, so this a step to help reduce plastic waste.
    
2. Couldn’t Mitre 10 just charge for plastic bags to encourage people to use less?
   We believe it’s better in the long-term to encourage a behaviour change that moves away from single-use bags and instead focuses on reuse and recycle.
    
3. What are Mitre 10’s reusable bags made from?
   Polypropylene.
    
4. Why choose these bags? Did Mitre 10 consider other bag options?
   These bags are very durable which means they can be used over and over again which ultimately is better for the environment.
   
   We found that with some other options there are concerns with how the bags are produced, and that compostable or biodegradable bags don’t always break down properly and can end up adding to landfill and causing other problems.
    
5. Can Mitre 10’s reusable bags be recycled?
   Yes. They can be recycled through the Soft Plastic Recycling scheme bins found in some of our stores and in supermarkets nationwide.
    
6. Why choose paper rolls for boot liners? And is the paper sustainably sourced?
   Having paper rolls gives customers more flexibility and  options in place where most suitable.
   
   The paper we have elected to use is recycled paper and has FSC certification.
    
7. What is Mitre 10 doing about all the other plastic in your stores - packaging and the products.
   With so many products in our stores, addressing this is a big task and will take time. A review is underway, and we are exploring what changes we can make.
    
8. What else is Mitre 10 doing to address sustainability and its impact on the environment?
   Mitre 10 is committed to minimising its impact on the environment. We are guided by legislative and regulatory requirements and as well as complying with these have a goal to continuously improve our sustainability.
   
   We strive to source our products to the highest ethical and environmental standards and work with our suppliers to provide product choices which are sustainable across their full life cycle.
   
   Mitre 10 is a member of the Soft Plastics Recycling programme and is working with the operators to expand the number of Mitre 10 stores currently participating in the initiative.
   
   Mitre 10 is also a long-standing partner of the Department of Conservation. Since 2005, we have supported the Takahe Recovery Programme to ensure survival of this unique native species and as part of this have helped with efforts to manage pest predators that pose a risk to this bird and others.
   
   As a co-operative we are part of our communities and make a positive contribution towards their success: socially, environmentally, economically.