Aussies divided as Woolies sells ‘next-level’ reusable bag for $20

The supermarket giant just dropped a huge announcement that has left some Aussies with a lot of questions.

Woolworths has collaborated with a well-known British designer to sell a “next-level” reusable shopping bag – but the initiative has divided Aussies.

The Australian retail giant has partnered with accessories mastermind Anya Hindmarch to sell the brand’s cult “The Universal Bag” at its more than 600 stores nationwide.

Launched in 2021, The Universal Bag aims to drive meaningful change across the industry by working collaboratively with major global food retailers to offer a “desirable, durable, reusable, 100 per cent recycled and recyclable” option for shoppers.

Woolworths’ partnership marks the brand’s arrival Down Under, though the reaction from consumers has been split.

While many have expressed excitement that the $20 bag will be available to Aussies from March 19, some have claimed the supermarket should have collaborated with a local designer.

Woolies has collaborated with Anya Hindmarch to sell its cult reusable shopping bag. Picture: Supplied

“Couldn’t Woolies find Australian designer???” one frustrated shopper wrote on social media.

“So many questions … but let’s start with … Why wouldn’t this come from an Australian designer,” another asked.

As another said: “Shame there are no good Australian designers *sarcasm font*.”

One shopper has already found the item in store, sharing a video on TikTok sharing her “excitement”.

“It’s twenty dollars, but it’s guaranteed for 10 years, and it’s the first reusable bag that is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic,” the social media user, who goes by the handle @AllyLikesShopping, shared.

But while Ally applauded the item, others argued the price was a little steep, especially in a cost of living crisis.

“$20 is insane … it’s not even insulated … looks like a solid bag … but the prize is crazy,” one said.

“Cost of living crisis and Woolworths thought let’s bring out a $20 shopping bag,” another agreed.

While some are 'excited' by the announcement, others claimed Woolworths should have partnered with a local designer. Picture: news.com.au

Others have taken aim at its $20 price tag. Picture: TikTok/@AllyLikesShopping

It’s been 7 years since Coles and Woolworths stopped offering shoppers free single-use plastic bags, and since then, an array of different “bags for life” have been available in various different designs.

The supermarket giants both also sell 100 per cent recycled brown paper bags at the checkout for those who forget to bring theirs from home.

Anya Hindmarch is well versed at collaborating with supermarket chains, with The Universal Bag – which comes with a 10-year guarantee – already stocked in British supermarket’s Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Waitrose as well as in bougie food retailers Selfridges Food Hall and Whole Foods UK.

It’s also available in select stores in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, with more retailers expected to be added to the global line-up this year.

“The Universal Bag project has saved over 230 tonnes of virgin plastic from landfill to date, the equivalent weight of over 19 London double decker buses,” Anya Hindmarch, Founder and Creative Director, said.

“Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental issue but working together with major global food retailers shows how the solution needs to be collaborative.”

The Universal Bag has been sold globally at countless food retailers since 2021. Picture: Supplied

Australia is one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic per person in the world.

Over the past decade, plastic consumption has only continued to grow – from 123kg of per person in 2010 to 147kg in 2021, WWF Australia reports.

Only 14 per cent of that is recycled.

The Woolworths Group has a bold Sustainability Plan in place that outlines ambitious goals across people, planet, and product, including sourcing 100 per renewable electricity by 2025, aiming for zero food waste to landfill, and reducing emissions by 63 per by 2030.

Woolworths states on its website that single-use plastics is “the number one challenge to our business”, noting that in the fruit and vegetables section it is a “critical part of food safety and quality, protecting produce in transit, extending shelf life and reducing food waste”.

Originally published as Aussies divided as Woolies sells ‘next-level’ reusable bag for $20