Aldi supermarkets have long had a system where you supply your own bag or box, or buy a bag at the check out. One of the options is plastic, but at least when you pay for it you are inclined to re-use it.

Woolworths and Coles both announced last year they would phase out bags at the checkout by July 1, 2018. That deadine is fast approaching and still many people walk away from the counter with their groceries packed in plastic.

No doubt the choice to continue to use single use plastic bags is driven by different reasons – it’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s available or simply because the customer forgot to bring their own bags. But the fact remains that things are changing and we will all need to re-think our shopping habits soon – whether we want to or not. 

The environmental need for change is a no brainer. 

A study conducted by researchers from several countries, including Australia, and published in the journal Science recently estimated there were 11.1 billion plastic items entangled in coral reefs from Thailand to the Great Barrier Reef.

Or filling the stomachs of sharks as Bermagui fisherman Jason Moyce discovered to his horror recently.

In Australia, there is some good news according to the Keep Australia Beautiful Litter Index, which is the nation's only long-term survey of litter. This identified that plastic bag litter was significantly lower in states where they were banned. These states include Tasmania, the ACT, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia have vowed to phase them out this year, leaving NSW as the only state without a ban or a plan for one.

We can wait for the powers-that-be to take action for change in NSW, or we can make the changes ourselves. It is time for everyone to do more to protect the environment and supplying your own bags or boxes at supermarket check-outs is a huge step in the right direction.

Who knows, you might even realise the hessian or fabric bags now available in many supermarkets are a great replacement. They are easier to pack, sturdy, durable and you can carry your groceries without fear of the bottom falling out.

All you need to do is remember to take them with you when you go shopping.