Port Melbourne Grocer, Brighton Grocer switch to recycled plastic shopping trolleys
This new shopping trolley — which is being rolled out to supermarkets in Port Melbourne and Brighton — is made out of packaging from one of a grocery staple found in most fridges — and coffees. Can you guess what it is?
Inner South
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Two supermarkets are pushing towards a more sustainable future thanks to the rollout of trolleys made from recycled milk bottles.
Port Melbourne Grocer and Brighton Grocer this week took delivery of lightweight trolleys made from plastic items that would have otherwise ended up in landfill or the ocean.
Designed and built by Supercart Australia, each trolley is made from 154 two-litre milk cartons and uses 49 per cent less water to manufacture than steel.
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Supercart Australia technical director Louw Van Tonder said the company aimed to create positive change, with about half the global warming potential of regular trolley manufacturing.
“Like many Australian manufacturers we are concerned about our environment (and) its future,” he said.
“We need everyone to get behind our push for sustainability and create lasting change.”
Beaumaris’ Sally Williams, former Brand Power presenter and long time sustainability advocate, backed the initiative and called on more stores to switch to recycled plastic trolleys.
“We need more Australians to make conscious decisions about sustainability, but we need shoppers to pressure supermarket owners and big business decision-makers about their responsibility to protect the planet,” she said.
Lincoln Wymer, operations manager of The Reddrop Group, which owns Port Melbourne and Brighton Grocers, said the sustainable trolleys — which were less “wonky” than other trolleys — had been well received by customers.
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“We saw the Supercarts and jumped on board straight away,” he said.
“The branding message about recycling plastics has been important, it resonates with customers.
“Trolleys have been renowned to be a bit wonky at times, but we’ve had no issues with the Supercarts.”