Coles is removing single-use plastic bags in an ACT trial.
But the supermarket chain is softening the blow with a freebie, of sorts.
Customers who spend $5 or more on fruit and veg will receive a three-pack of reusable mesh produce bags, made from 90 per cent recycled materials.
Naturally, customers can also buy them.
In a press release, Coles chief operations and sustainability officer Matt Swindells said the initiative was expected to save about 11 tonnes of plastic each year.
“Under our Together to Zero waste ambition, we are always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics packaging and provide sustainable solutions to our customers,” he said.
Read: Switching supermarkets could save you $2500 a year
“This will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial a completely reusable method of helping customers purchase their fresh fruit and vegies.
“We will be looking closely at how our ACT customers respond. These insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to our customers nationally.”
Call me sceptical, but is this a money-saving exercise? Will the cost savings be passed on to customers? Not a chance.
If you can sew, make your own bags. For extra environmentally friendly bonus points, buy sheer curtains from op shops and cut them up for the fabric. Wash first, of course.
This week’s special offers
Aldi
Sensible: Dentitex teeth-whitening kit, $19.99. Is this kit as good as a dentist’s treatment? Probably not, but when a dentist’s teeth whitening course can cost $500, it may be worth a shot.
Indulgent: Choceur chocolate blocks, $2.99, save $1. I took one for the team and bought this to give it a try for research purposes. It has that European, rich chocolate taste without the price tag. I might have to try all the flavours to confirm. Thoroughness is important.
See the catalogue here.
Read: Save with these tips to make your groceries last longer
Coles
Sensible: Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bars, half price, $2. The Coles catalogue seems to be heavy on meal replacement and protein bars this week and, according to my weight-lifting son, this is one of the better ones. But protein is good at any age, so at this price knock yourself out.
Indulgent: Coles’ cashew varieties, $8 for 400g. Remember when cashews were so expensive they were only a Christmas Day treat? We still have a bowl on the Christmas table, but now you may be able to justify them all year round. Good on their own or as part of a stir-fry.
See the catalogue here.
Woolworths
Sensible: Kewpie Mayonnaise varieties, $3.50, save $1.70. The packaging is cute, the product is good – it’s a bit richer than western mayonnaise – and the price is right. Stick some in your pantry for summer salads to come.
Indulgence: Carman’s Porridge sachet varieties, $4.50 each, save $2. Carman’s is a great Australian success story and these sachets are just a part of their delicious range. Great for tummy-filling snacks at work.
See the catalogue here.
Read: Jamie Oliver’s tips to cut food waste
IGA
Sensible: Optimum dry dog food, $14.50, save $6.50. Australians loves dogs and dog food continues to be one of the more popular supermarket lines. So when it goes on special, it’s worth stocking up.
Indulgent: Allen’s family-sized lollies, $4, save $1. We all have an Allen’s favourite, mine is the newly named, PC-cleared Cheekies, but Minties will always be in style. Give in to your weakness with these family-sized bags. There’s no requirement that you actually have to share with the family.
See the catalogue here.
Do you take recyclable bags to stores for loose fruit and vegies? Should those single-use bags be removed? Have your say in the comments section below.
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Coles current green produce bags can be returned to store for recycling, just like lots of other products. They are made of 50% recycled plastic and carry the message “reduce. reuse. recycle”. These bags are saved by me and reused many times for storing our home grown veges in the fridge or in the storage cupboard.
It is total BS and using the green moniker to reduce Coles cost and increase their profit, stinging customers in the process. Maybe they should put back paper bags. It’ll switch to buying fruit and vegies from others where I can get bags.