When Reusable Plastic Bags Became a Business Opportunity

The other day, I went to buy groceries at a large supermarket chain and realized I had forgotten to bring bags. As I stood near the checkout, I noticed a display of reusable plastic bags in different colors, sizes, and designs, neatly arranged for sale. Some of the prices genuinely surprised me. That moment triggered a familiar thought about how we arrived here.

I remembered when supermarkets in Australia began presenting themselves as protectors of the environment. Almost overnight, free plastic grocery bags disappeared. The stated goal was to reduce plastic waste, which sounded reasonable. But the focus was not on excessive product packaging. It was on the thin plastic bags customers used to carry groceries home.

What replaced them were thicker plastic bags, often colored green and marketed as reusable and environmentally responsible. There was one major change. They were no longer free. Customers were now required to buy them.

These new bags used significantly more plastic than the ones they replaced. They were stronger, heavier, and designed to last longer, which also meant they became a product that did not previously need to exist. Over time, more versions appeared, each more elaborate and more expensive. Today, some cost several dollars.

This raises an uncomfortable question. Was the goal to reduce environmental harm, or to appear environmentally responsible while creating a new revenue stream?

There is another side that rarely gets discussed. Many households, mine included, reused old grocery bags as bin liners. Once those bags disappeared, people began purchasing plastic bin liners instead. Plastic did not disappear. It simply changed form and moved to a different aisle.

This is not an argument against environmental protection. It is a call for honest evaluation. When environmental policies lead to more products, more plastic, and higher costs, they deserve scrutiny. Good intentions are not enough. Real environmental responsibility requires clear thinking and measurable outcomes, not just attractive branding.