The store is appealing to the community to support the event and bring along reusable shopping bags the next time they shop in an effort to reduce the amount of soft plastics entering land waste and waterways.

Store Manager Carolyn Andrews said it’s important the community proactively works together to reduce the amount of plastics impacting the environment.

“An average of 2200 plastic bags are used by our customers every day and with the help of the community we can save more than 60,000 plastic bags during this four-week event,” she said.

“We hope our commitment to this environmental challenge will encourage our community to reduce their use of plastic bags and form new sustainable habits.

“It could be as easy as keeping reusable shopping bags in the car ready for their next shopping trip.”

Plastic Free July is an annual global environmental event that aims to raise awareness of the amount of single-use plastic in our lives and encourage use of reusable and sustainable alternatives.

In 2016, 130 countries and more than 1 million people took up the challenge to go plastic free in July. Each year, Plastic Free July delivers household behaviour changes amounting to a 2.5 million kilogram reduction in recycling waste and 14.5 million kilogram reduction in landfill waste.

The store has partnered with local community group Dungog Boomerang Bags, a volunteer organisation that uses recycled material to make reusable shopping bags.

These bags are available for customers to borrow for free from the store.

“Please remember your shopping bags, together we can make a difference,” said Ms Andrews.

If you provide you feedback you have the  chance to win a share of $400 in IGA Gift Cards.

Share your ideas or feedback about the store’s Plastic Free July event on Facebook or in store.

There’s a  there’s a winner every week.