ALDI criticised by shoppers for plastic waste and the expense of their freshly cut watermelon

A group of Aldi shoppers are unimpressed with the budget store over their latest release which has been slammed as ‘lazy’, ‘wasteful’ and ‘far too expensive’.

The offending product is an 850g portion of freshly cut watermelon in a plastic container which is on sale for $6.99.

Some shoppers are thrilled with the ‘convenient’ buy, which they say tastes better than the usual watermelon on offer, but other disgruntled customers are complaining about the use of plastic and the ‘laziness’ of pre-cut fruit.

Several people shared pictures of the new product to popular Aldi shoppers groups to discuss its flaws.

‘For everyone who complains about the crap watermelon at Aldi, now you can see inside them before you buy,’ one mum said.

Many people immediately complained about the price, however some acknowledged it may be due to adverse weather conditions over the past year.

‘That’s a very high price for a few slices,’ one woman said.

‘Nice idea but far too expensive. Better get a 1/4 portion at Coles, go home and cut it yourself,’ another wrote.

Some shoppers are happy about the new release, which they say tastes better than the usual watermelon on offer. However, others complained about the use of plastic, the price and the fact the fruit is pre-cut

Other people were unimpressed with the plastic packaging on the product.

‘Bit of a set back towards their plastic reduction target,’ one man said.

‘I don’t like it. What a waste of plastic,’ another wrote.

Speaking to FEMAIL, an Aldi spokesperson said it is not always possible to have plastic-free packaging for fresh goods.

‘We have a strong and proven commitment to reducing plastics in our stores as evidenced through our Plastics and Packaging Progress Report with an ambition to reduce plastic packaging by 25% by 2025.’

‘With fresh produce, especially produce that has been prepared for convenience, there are not always suitable plastic-free packaging options, however the container and lid of the freshly cut watermelon are recyclable in a customer’s kerbside recycling bin.’

Some people also complained about the ‘laziness’ of the product.

‘Cheaper to buy the watermelon and spend the minute it takes cutting it yourself,’ one woman said.

However, others hit back at the comments, explaining that pre-prepared products like the watermelon are useful for people with disabilities.

‘You know some customers have disabilities and are unable to use a knife,’ one woman said.