Coles trials new supermarket feature to reduce plastic waste

The company will conduct the eight-week trial at five stores across the country.

Coles has announced it is trialling a new feature aimed to reduce single-use plastic bags in the fresh produce department.

In five participating Coles stores, customers will be able to reuse a cardboard box used to deliver produce to the store.

Those being Coles stores in Prahan, Waverley Gardens, Noosa Heads, Ocean Shores and Hilton in WA.

The cardboard box is free of charge and will allow customers to collect their loose fruit and vegetable items rather than use a plastic bag.

Customer can use the box to carry the items home where they can be recycled, or they can leave the box at the checkout for another customer to use.

Customers will be able to choose to use a cardboard box instead of a single use plastic bag at five stores participating in Coles Grab a box Scheme. Picture Rebecca Michael.

Coles chief operations and sustainability officer Matt Swindells said the initiative offered a free solution for those who forget their reusable shopping bags.

“We know our customers want us to provide more sustainable packaging solutions, and this trial offers a plastic-free

alternative to fresh produce bags that, if successful, could see a sizeable reduction in the number of plastic produce

bags in circulation,” he said.

“The great thing about these boxes is that they fit easily in your trolley, and can be taken home and recycled, or

left at store for someone else to use again.

“It also brings a local grocer feel to your shop while helping to create a more sustainable future.”

Coles is launching an eight-week trial at five stores for customers to grab a box rather than use single use plastics in its fresh food department. Scheme. Picture Rebecca Michael.

In 2023, Coles stopped selling soft plastic shopping bags in-store and online which removed 230 million plastic bags from circulation in one year.

According to a Coles survey, 8 in 10 shoppers felt it was important for produce packaging to be recyclable, while 61 per cent of customers felt positively about the cardboard box solution.

Planet Ark chief executive officer Rebecca Gilling said the initiative was an excellent way to encourage customers to purchase loose fruit and vegetables and reduce the use of plastic fresh produce bags

“Coles is providing its customers with a way to reduce their use of plastic,” she said.

“Not only is this encouraging more customers to buy loose, but it’s also helping to advance the circular economy by giving those used carboard boxes a second life and helping to reduce our need for single-use plastic bags.”

The boxes, previously used to transport fresh fruit and vegetables, are available in the fresh produce department

and at the checkouts of participating stores.

In 2023, Coles stopped selling soft plastic shopping bags in-store and online which removed 230 million plastic bags from circulation in one year.