Ahead of the Australian-first trial, ACT customers will receive a complimentary three-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags manufactured with 90% recycled materials
Coles to eliminate all single-use plastic fresh produce bags in ACT supermarkets from 14 September. (Credit: Coles Group)
Australian supermarket chain Coles has announced its decision to ban single-use plastic fresh produce bags in ACT supermarkets from 14 September.
With this move, the firm intends to encourage customers to bring in reusable options for their fruit and veggies.
Ahead of the Australian-first trial, ACT customers who will spend A$5 in-store on fruit and veggies will receive a complimentary three-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags manufactured with 90% recycled materials.
Valid from 31 August to 14 September, this special offer will help the firm to remove the single-use plastic bags from the store.
Coles has set a deadline to remove the single-use plastic fresh produce bags, also known as barrier bags, from all 12 stores across the ACT from 14 September.
Customers will be urged to bring reusable bags to the trial to assist them to finish their shopping, or they will be able to purchase reusable mesh fresh produce bags in-store.
Coles chief operations and sustainability officer Matt Swindells said that the programme is anticipated to reduce roughly 11 tonnes of plastic annually.
Swindells said: “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.
“This will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial a completely reusable method of helping customers purchase their fresh fruit and veggies.
“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.”
Recently, Coles started distributing fresh produce bags made with 50% recycled plastic across the nation to significantly minimise the use of plastic in retail establishments.
The plastic barrier bags will still be used in delis and for Coles Online orders and paper bags will be available in the fresh produce department for customers to pack their own mushrooms, said the company.
This ban follows Coles’ recent introduction of marine-reusable shopping bags comprised of 80% recycled plastic and 20% marine debris gathered from waterways, beaches, and coastlines.