Woolworths: Supermarket under fire for new shopping bags that are made in China

Woolworths’ new paper bags have been labelled a “disgrace” a day after they launched after customers turned them over and saw something they didn’t like.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has come under fire from customers after it was discovered the chain’s new paper shopping bags, launched on Wednesday, are made in China.

One customer labelled it as “disgrace”. But Woolies has said it would like to make the bags in Australia but at the moment it simply can’t.

All Woolies stores now offer customers the option of a paper bag option alongside reusable carry bags.

The old-school bags are being rolled out after a successful trial in 20 stores late last year.

The new bags are made from 70 per cent recycled paper and will be sold for 20 cents each, while Woolies’ existing reusable plastic bags, foldable bags and Bag for Good options will also still be available at the checkout.

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They will be able to hold up to 6kg of grocery items per bag, and are made from responsibly sourced paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Woolworths’ new paper bags cost 20c each.

Woolworths Supermarkets managing director Claire Peters said Wednesday that the bags were designed for customer who had forgo their own.

“For some time, customers have told us they’d like the option of a strong paper bag option, so we’re pleased to now offer that choice at our check-outs, alongside our existing reusable plastic bags.”

But some customers have since told Woolworths in no uncertain terms that they would have liked the bags to be made in Australia.

They were shocked when they turned the bag over and discovered it was produced overseas.

“Made in China … what a disgrace. Certainly, won't be using these bags,” said one customer on Woolworths Facebook page.

“SHAME on you Woolworths,” said another. “Surely they should have been manufactured here in Australia?

Made in China ... what a disgrace. Certainly won't be using these bags.

Posted by Kerry Ford on Thursday, 4 June 2020

One customer went into more detail about their bag gripe.

“I see that bags are made from recycled products which is great but my question is are these bags being manufactured here in Australia?

“I am very interested in looking after Australia and Australian jobs first and foremost.”

A Woolworths spokeswoman told news.com.au that the company would be keen to make the bags in Australia but there’s no manufacturer domestically with enough capacity to pump them out.

“We’ve been exploring options to source paper bags locally at the scale we need.

“We'll continue to work with local manufacturers to see if we can build the capability to produce paper bags locally.”

While customers have focused on the new paper bags, the fact is very few shopping bags of any kind are made in Australia.

Green bags and reusable bags sold by major retailers are mostly made overseas in countries including Germany, China and Malaysia.

The single-use plastic bag that many of the new paid for bags replaced were also produced aboard, chiefly in China.