Coles defends 25 cent paper bags after customer outrage

The woman was carrying groceries such as Zooper Doopers, soft drink and a bag of chips when the bag tore, causing Coles to respond.

A major supermarket has defended its paper bags after a customer lashed out at the brand when her bag fell to pieces.

The woman was carrying groceries such as Zooper Doopers, soft drink and a bag of chips when the bag tore.

“Thanks Coles for your 25 cent bags that can supposedly hold six kilos,” the angry shopper said, showing vision of her broken bag on the ground.

“I didn’t even have six kilos of groceries in this thing and it just snapped.”

The woman said that the bag had snapped at the handle, before tearing in other places.

A Coles spokesperson defended its recyclable bags when contacted for comment.

Coles has defended paper bags after customer anger over ripped bag. Picture: TikTok

“Our paper bags have undergone vigorous independently testing and found to safely hold up six kilos of groceries, including chilled and frozen items, and can be reused multiple times,” a Coles spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Our paper bags are made from 100 per cent recycled paper and unlike soft plastic bags can be recycled kerbside.

“Since we announced our decision to phase out soft plastic bags in May, we have been impressed by our customers’ response to the paper bags and thank them for their willingness to adapt and support this important change that will see 230 million plastic bags removed from circulation in one year.”

There are also reusable tote bags available. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Coles will announced in May its commitment to end the sale of soft-plastic shopping bags in-store and online by the end of June.

This move is part of the supermarket’s efforts to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging and meet its sustainability goals and will see the remaining supply of soft-plastic bags phased out in the coming weeks.

Based on Coles’ sales records over a 52-week period up to April, this will remove 230 million plastic bags from circulation in one year.

It comes after Woolworths pledged the permanent removal of plastic shopping bags in all stores by June.

As well as the paper bags, Coles has reusable tote bags that retail for $1 and $2.50 for the larger size, as well as chiller bags for $2.50.