Coles supermarket has upset shoppers by changing their red baskets for an eco-friendly option

Coles has come under fire after revealing they will replace their regular supermarket baskets with a different ‘sustainable’ option.

Shoppers are complaining that the new baskets – which are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic – are ‘awful to carry, large and clunky’.

The new baskets are bigger, they only have one handle and are made entirely from recycled milk bottles.

‘WTF were the design team thinking?’ one man asked. 

Each new Coles basket saves the equivalent of eighteen two litres of milk bottles from landfill.

The new feature was introduced as part of Coles’ mission to become ‘Australia’s most sustainable supermarket’.

However, despite the good intention, several people have voiced their disappointment with the change. 

‘Hi Coles, just dropping by to say I hate (and that’s a word I don’t often use) your new red baskets,’ one shopper said.

The mum revealed that her bone health issues are exasperated due to the design of the basket.

‘Seriously just one handle on them? I have to hold it over my arm as a lot of people do, I can’t hold the basket with my hands and fingers due to osteoarthritis,’ she said.

‘Everything in them due to gravity goes to one end, because of that it’s impossible to carry and the basket leans out further and as you are going around the aisles one has to be careful not to knock into anyone or disturb the end displays.’

Many shoppers say they prefer the old basket (pictured) which they believe was easier to carry and more ‘ergonomic’ (stock image)

‘I really think a man must’ve designed the new baskets.’

One woman agreed that the ‘baskets are awful now’.

‘Just left Coles Karingal – what the hell have you done with the baskets?’ one frustrated shopper asked.

‘The new design are just awful, did you have anyone in the team look at ergonomics?’

The old baskets were a well loved staple – one shopper even had a picture of it tattooed

‘They’re awful to carry, large, clunky and now the widest part sticks out from your body as you carry it, causing issues maneuvering around the store. WTF were the design team thinking?’

Another man took to Instagram to voice his annoyance at the new design.

‘Well done on making a very very crappy basket. How the hell do you hold it?’ he asked.

However not everyone thought the complaints were warranted. 

One woman suggested unhappy shoppers ‘use a trolley’ instead.

A Coles spokesperson told FEMAIL the reasoning behind the introduction of the new baskets. 

‘Our Sustainability Baskets are Australian-made from 100 per cent recycled milk bottles, saving the equivalent of eighteen two litres of milk bottles from landfill for each basket made,’ they told Daily Mail Australia.

‘The baskets have undergone rigorous testing and have been largely well received, with some customers describing them as a stronger and more durable option.’

‘Our Sustainability Baskets are an example of our Together to Zero waste ambitions and proof we are committed to working with industry partners to find sustainable solutions and move towards a circular economy.’