SYDNEY, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A plastic bag ban by two Aussie supermarket chains is helping to boost orders for reusable bags made by workers with disabilities, according to a major disability services provider.
The workers have seen a "huge uplift in sales," making about 400 bags a month just months after the launch of one new range alone, Dave Akehurst, enterprise manager for Tulgeen Disability Services in New South Wales state, was quoted by the ABC News channel as saying on Monday.
His team of workers with disabilities handcraft the reusable bags out of material such as old coffee bean and animal feed sacks.
Supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths last year announced plans to phase out single-use plastic bags by mid-2018. Woolworths alone hands out about 3.2 billion of the lightweight bags every year, according to local media.
Customers who do not use their own shopping bags will be able to buy thicker reusable plastic bags and canvas bags at the group's outlets, said the company.
Akehurst said the quality of bags made by his team is "fantastic."
"They're manufactured locally. The seaming is absolutely top notch," he said, adding "the whole process is undertaken by our supported employees, from the cutting right through to the stitching. Even popping them up to the post office to get them out to our customers."
Tulgeen's bag workshop is not only about making bags but also give those who in need an opportunity to develop skills and prepare for future jobs, he said.
"Some of them have never handled scissors or anything like that so it's a really good opportunity to expand their skills," workshop supervisor Annie Chandler said.
