AMCAL has announced it will be the first major pharmacy retail chain in Australia to phase out plastic bags in its stores.
The announcement was made at the Sigma Healthcare 2018 Retail Conference currently being held on the Gold Coast and clarified that the company will stop supplying Amcal-branded plastic carry bags, instead introducing recycled paper bags for those customers who need assistance.
Sigma executive gm Retail Pharmacy Jeff Sells said the decision to remove plastic bags for the company's flagship retail brand sent a strong message about the company's environmental credentials.
"The move away from plastic carry bags in Amcal stores sets an important new standard for the retail pharmacy sector, which we will look to replicate across our other brands.
"Other major retailers like supermarkets are dealing with this important issue which can have serious environmental consequences and now it's time for the pharmacy sector to take a stand."
Sells said he was confident that customers would embrace the change in light of general social trends around ecological enlightenment.
"We all need to play our part in helping protect the environment and the replacement recycled paper bags have been designed to offer an easy alternative,'' Sells concluded.
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