Woolworths shopper’s ‘genius’ plastic bag hack sparks debate

A woman’s “hack” for scoring free plastic bags at Woolworths has divided opinion, with some blasting the move as “unhygienic”.

We’ve all been there.

You’re just finishing up an impromptu grocery run when you realise you don’t have a bag.

While most would just fork out a little extra for a bag at checkout, this savvy Woolworths shopper has shared a “life hack” for scoring free plastic bags when you forget your own – but not everyone is on board.

A Woolworths shopper has shared her 'hack' for free plastic bags. Picture: TikTok / @miseenplace_au

Instead of buying bags at checkout, the mum took some from the soft plastics recycling bin. Picture: TikTok / @miseenplace_au

In a TikTok video, Aussie mum Anita Birges – who was also Big Brother’s first “intruder” on the reality show back in 2001 – shares her simple solution.

“Here’s a little hack for you. I forgot shopping bags today, so I came over to the recycling area and grabbed a whole bag full,” she said.

“Saving hack, recycling hack, and shopping hack all in one.”

Instead of purchasing bags at the checkout, the TikTok user strolled over to the soft plastics recycling bin and grabs used bags for free.

But the video, titled ‘What to do when you forget shopping bags’ has been met with mixed opinions from shoppers.

While some TikTok users praised the idea, others were not so sure. Picture: TikTok / @miseenplace_au

The mum took several bags from the soft plastics recycling bin at Woolworths. Picture: TikTok / @miseenplace_au

While some have applauded the “genius” idea, others have labelled the hack as “unhygienic”.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this,” one user said.

“No more juggling!” another added.

Others were not so enthusiastic, noting the items in the soft plastics bin were placed there to be recycled by other customers.

“I don’t think I could …” one commented.

“I had no idea who used them last or what was in them.”

As one simply said: “Just no.”

Some questioned whether you’re allowed to take the discarded bags, writing: “This feels illegal.”

“Are you allowed to do that? I mean it makes sense but maybe they don’t allow it,” another asked.

Anita is popular online for her decluttering and cleaning hacks. Picture: TikTok / @miseenplace_au

Anita's plastic bag hack was met with a mix of opinions online. Picture: TikTok / @mise_en_place_aus

Woolworths announced earlier this month that they will stop selling their 15c plastic bags.

Natalie Davis, managing director of Woolworths Supermarkets said reusable plastic bags were introduced back in 2018 to help customers adjust to the removal of single use plastic bags from stores.

“We’ve seen a huge shift in shopping habits since we stopped giving out single use plastic bags … The reusable plastic bags have played their part and now it’s time to do away with selling plastic shopping bags at our check-outs for good,” she said.

“Bringing your own bags is the very best outcome for the environment, and we encourage our customers to keep up the great work.

“Paper bags will continue to be available for those who forget to bring their own – but ultimately we want to sell less bags altogether.”

She added that customers expected the supermarket to lead on sustainability but acknowledged it would be an adjustment for some and that’s why it was phasing the bags out over the next year.