Woolworths and Coles last week announced a nationwide ban of single-use plastic bags in their stores.

The companies will phase out the bags by mid-2018.

The move will affect supermarkets in Horsham, Ararat and Stawell.

Ritchies Stores will also implement the measures in its supermarkets.

Ritchies chief executive Fred Harrison said the move would affect all the company’s stores, including ones in Ararat, Stawell and Warracknabeal.

“I think it’s good the two big players have put their hands up to do this, and we too are going down that path from July 1 next year,” he said.

“We do have a couple of stores now that are plastic bag-free.

“We will need to modify checkouts and bag holders, and come up with alternate bags that can be sold,  and in fairness you need time to transition the public to having to bring green bags or other alternatives.”

Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group’s La Vergne Lehmann said she was pleased supermarkets had taken a lead to reduce plastic bag use.

“There has been a strong movement from consumers around getting rid of plastic bags,” she said. “However supermarkets would be doing this because it’s a good business move for them.

“When you look at it, it means they no longer have to supply bags and will instead charge people for reusable ones, so that makes good business sense for them.

“It’s a great start, but there is still a lot more work to around dealing with the issue of soft plastics.

“The vast majority of plastics will still be out there in the products that people are buying.

“I would love to see supermarkets talking to suppliers about what plastics they’re using as well.”

Mrs Lehmann said she hoped the changes encouraged other businesses to reassess their plastic bag use.