Council’s old-school solution set to ease shopping frustrations at supermarkets

If you’ve ever tripped over a stray shopping trolley on your morning walk or spotted one rusting away in a creek, you’re not alone. Abandoned supermarket trolleys are a blight on our streets, parks, and waterways—a problem that’s only worsening. 

But now, one council is rolling out a surprisingly old-school solution that could finally turn the tide. 

In Sydney’s south-west, Liverpool City Council has announced a bold new plan: to supply up to 500 two-wheel canvas shopping trolleys, affectionately known as ‘granny trolleys’, to residents. 

It aims to drastically reduce the number of supermarket trolleys being dumped across the city. It might sound quaint, but the council is deadly serious. 

In the past two months, Liverpool has impounded nearly 1,200 abandoned supermarket trolleys. 

‘While the law places responsibility for trolleys fair and square at the supermarkets, Council is left with the problem, and so Council has come up with a solution,’ said Deputy Mayor Peter Harle. 

‘In some ways, it’s an old-fashioned solution to a modern problem. Years ago, every home had its own shopping trolley, and by going “back to the future” we can probably find a commonsense solution to a massive problem.’

Why are trolleys being dumped? This question has puzzled councils and supermarkets alike. Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, a marketing expert from Griffith University, said more research is needed. 

‘Is it children using the trolleys for joyriding, or is it people who actually need to take a lot of groceries somewhere and so just take the trolleys for a walk?’ she asked. 

‘It could be that we’re moving towards the wrong people with the wrong ideas.’

Getting groceries home can be challenging for many people, especially older Australians or those without cars. Supermarket trolleys are often ‘borrowed’ out of necessity, not mischief.

For its part, Woolworths said most customers do the right thing and return their trolleys. 

‘Abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance, and that’s why we invest millions in collection services and have additional measures in place which feature a locking mechanism to help mitigate their impact in the community,’ a Woolworths spokesperson said.

Coles has trialled similar measures, including coin-lock systems, but these have sometimes sparked backlash from shoppers who find them inconvenient.

Despite these efforts, the problem persists. Abandoned trolleys clog footpaths, block driveways, and end up in places they shouldn’t be. Councils are left to foot the bill for collection and disposal; ultimately, the community suffers.

Could ‘granny trolleys’ be the answer?

The humble ‘granny trolley’, once a staple of every household, could make a comeback. These lightweight, two-wheeled canvas bags are easy to pull, hold a surprising amount of shopping, and don’t require a $2 coin.

For some, they’re a godsend: no more lugging heavy bags, no more wrestling with supermarket trolleys, and no more guilt about leaving a trolley stranded on the street.

Liverpool Council plans to subsidise the cost of these trolleys for vulnerable residents, making them accessible to those who need them most. If the trial succeeds, it could be rolled out more widely and inspire other councils to follow suit.

Some might scoff at going ‘back to the future’ with granny trolleys. But sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. After all, our parents and grandparents managed just fine without supermarket trolleys cluttering the neighbourhood.

And let’s not forget the environmental benefits. Fewer abandoned trolleys mean less metal waste, less water pollution, and a safer community.

What do you think of Liverpool Council’s plan? Would you use a ‘granny trolley’ for your weekly shop? Or do you have another creative solution to the trolley problem? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Also read: Coles, Woolworths are reviving an old-school policy—are you cashing in?