Coles rolls out major change – but not all shoppers are happy

By MAX ALDRED FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 08:58 GMT, 12 February 2025 | Updated: 09:03 GMT, 12 February 2025

Coles has replaced its plastic grape bags with more environmentally friendly paper ‘handbags’ – sparking a mixed reaction from customers.

The supermarket giant recently trialled the new packaging in Victoria and Tasmania before rolling out the new initiative all stores nationally.

More than 64 tonnes of plastic bags avoided landfill during the Victorian trial last year.

Shoppers across the country have started to notice the new design and shared their thoughts on an online forum.

‘Grabbed them today, happy they changed,’ one woman said of the new bags on social media.

‘I’m so impressed. This is such an easy change that will make a big difference,’ another said.

Aussies are responsible for consuming more than 3.7million tonnes of pollutive substances every year.

Some shoppers want to see more changes to reduce waste.

Shoppers have begun to notice the new grape packaging in Coles being rolled out nationally

The new packaging has divided Coles shoppers (stock image) 

‘If they are serious, they will open the butcher section like they used to have. Only then will I take them seriously regarding plastic,’ one woman commented.

Another added: ‘Hopefully, they will soon stop putting single items from the fruit and vegetable section into separate plastic bags when you order click-and-collect or online, [it] drives me insane.

A third asked: ‘How about, instead, we bring back loose grapes?’

Other shoppers slammed the new initiative and believed the bags would cause more issues.

‘Do the handles break off like their grocery bags do?’ one asked.

‘Goodness. Hope they don’t rip like the grocery bags do,’ another said.

One woman claimed the bags inhibited her view of the produce.

Many shoppers applauded the change, though others suggested there was one pesky draw-back

‘Good in theory, but I like being able to see into the clear bag to make sure they aren’t all gross inside,’ she said.

‘We did find it ironic today that the grapes were in paper bags, but the mini Easter eggs that we normally get in a cardboard box now come in a plastic bag.’

Another shopper complained: ‘Well you can’t see all the bad (grapes) hiding in there.’

Coles is now looking at other ways to reduce unnecessary plastic in stores with a focus on produce.

‘In October last year, we trialled plastic-free blueberry packaging in 34 of our stores in NSW,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

The new bags are made from paper and designed to be fully recyclable

‘The new punnets were made from recycled, FSC-certified cardboard and could be recycled kerbside.

‘We also trialled the Coles’ Unique Selection mandarins in a recyclable bag instead of a traditional plastic net, which avoided the use of 11,700 kilograms of plastic in just one year.’

‘We were impressed by the response we received when we launched the trial of grapes in recyclable bags last season and look forward to sharing more packaging innovation with our customers in the future.’

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Coles rolls out major change – but not all shoppers are happy

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