‘Challenging’: Big changes at Coles and Woolies

Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths have both announced changes to how customers can use a shopping staple.

More customers are opting not to use bags at all. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Australian supermarket giants have announced huge changes to their plastic bag policies as pressure mounts to reduce waste.

Coles will be binning mesh produce bags introduced as part of a trial in the ACT last year, while Woolworths is disposing of its 15c plastic bags in Queensland and Canberra stores.

Woolworths Queensland state general manager Danny Baldwin said customer habits pushed the supermarket giant to make the move.

Most shoppers were found to bring bags from home. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Eighty per cent of our customers currently bring in their own bag, so over the number of years, I think customers have really responded to reusing bags,” he said.

“Also, a number of our customers are electing to actually not use bags at all.”

Woolworths is aiming to phase out plastic bags in its online business throughout 2023. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Baldwin said that by removing the 15c plastic bags across the state and territory, the company would be “removing over 1600 tonnes of plastic from the system”.

It is believed that more sustainable alternatives to plastic bags will be available for purchase in-store, such as those made from paper and fabric.

Meanwhile, Coles will be swapping its trialled mesh produce bags for a compostable alternative after customers in the ACT found the transition “challenging”.

Coles will be switching to a compostable alternative. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“We acknowledge a significant change of this kind was challenging for both our customers and in-store teams,” a spokesperson said.

“However, we remain committed to working towards appropriate and accessible plastic reduction initiatives for our customers moving forward.”