‘Unnecessary’: Coles announces huge change to popular item
The retail giant has rolled out new packaging on a popular product in a bid to reduce plastic – but not all Aussies are impressed.
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Coles has swapped its plastic grape bags with more environmentally friendly paper “handbags”, dividing shoppers across the country.
The innovative new packaging is now available in all stores nationally and follows a successful trial last year in select venues in Victoria and Tasmania, which the supermarket claims avoided more than 68.4 tonnes of plastic bags.
“We are always looking for ways to reduce unnecessary plastic in our stores and know the fresh produce department is ripe for packaging innovation,” a Coles spokesperson told news.com.au.
“In October last year, we trialled plastic-free blueberry packaging in 34 of our stores in NSW. The new punnets were made from recycled, FSC-certified cardboard and could be recycled kerbside.”
The spokesperson went on to state that the response to grapes being trialled in new eco-friendly packaging had prompted its huge new move.
“In 2024, we also trialled the Coles’ Unique Selection mandarins in a recyclable bag instead of a traditional plastic net, which avoided the use of 11,700 kilograms of plastic in just one year.
“We were impressed by the response we received when we launched the trial of grapes in recyclable bags last season and look forward to sharing more packaging innovation with our customers in the future.”
One shopper recently spotted the change in store and took to Facebook to share her find.
“A big shout-out to Coles for swapping their grape bag to paper,” wrote one Sydney mum posting on Facebook as Stuff Mums Like.
“Grabbed them today, happy they changed,” one of the 800 comments read.
“I’m so impressed. This is such an easy change that will make a big difference,” wrote someone else.
Yet another commenter called it “smart” while others said they “loved it” and the bags “worked well”.
“They are great. I washed my grapes in this bag … holes at the bottom. Drained and ate them. Then composted the bag,” one happy customer shared.
Another shopper who had tried them out said they kept their grapes “fresh”.
However, some questioned the durability of the new packaging.
“Goodness. Hope they don’t rip like the grocery bags do,” one user wrote.
“I really hope they are stronger than the paper bags that have the handles rip off halfway between the cashier and the car,” quipped another.
Others claimed that they had first-hand experience with the bags ripping, with one writing, “Ours ripped just lifting it into the trolley”.
“Have you tried carrying them though? The handles rip so easily. Really not practical,” expressed one.
Others admitted that while it might be good in theory, it meant you wouldn’t be able to easily assess the quality of the grapes inside.
“So now I will need to tip out the grapes to make sure the bottom ones aren’t yucky and half the bag doesn’t contain loose brown grapes,” pointed out one Facebook follower.
“Well you can’t see all the bad ones they’re hiding in there,” said one woman.
Meanwhile, others questioned Coles’ movement away from plastic.
“I think it’s cute how the bread is in a plastic bag with a cardboard tag to close it,” said one person sarcastically.
“And everything else. everything in the supermarket is in plastic. and more and more coming every day …” wrote another.
However, Coles assured shoppers that it will aim to roll out more plastic-free packaging in the future.
According to a survey conducted by the supermarket, eight in 10 shoppers feel it is important for produce packaging to be recyclable.
Its plastic-free blueberry packaging and recyclable mandarin bags are just some of the ways it has aimed to cut down on plastic in recent years.
In October last year, Coles also unveiled a cardboard box trial to help reduce single-use plastic bags in its fresh produce department.
Originally published as ‘Unnecessary’: Coles announces huge change to popular item
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