‘Appalled’ customers slam Coles and Woolies over plastic container ban

Coles and Woolworths have embarked on a huge campaign to reduce plastic waste in store, banning all non-reusable plastic bags and even attempting to reduce packaging on some food items such as vegetables.

But some “appalled” customers have now questioned why that doesn’t extend to the deli counter. While many have expressed wishes to bring along their own containers and Tupperware from home, it’s banned in both supermarkets – causing confusion and anger from many.

Both stores cite food safety reasons for the ban, while the different weights of people’s personal containers could also make weighing and pricing items difficult. However, customers have called for a change to the policy – insisting smaller stores allow it, so they should too.

“I am shocked and appalled just how much plastic waste is generated in your store daily (and not just from the deli section, the fruit and veg and general groceries too), so I have taken my business to a local shop that happily allows me to use my own tongs, container and reusable plastic bags,” one woman wrote on Coles’ official Facebook page.

“Coles, please rethink your policy and help reduce what is a massive waste issue. Thank you.”

Another added: “Very disappointed to learn that Coles is not accepting customers own containers for deli and seafood produce.”

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Meanwhile disappointed customers reiterated the pleas on Woolworths’ official page, with one disgruntled customer writing: “If you do want to reduce single use plastic now by using your own containers, I recommend you start purchasing fresh produce at your local butchers, poultry stores, small delicatessens, seafood stores etc.

“Small businesses can legally make their own decision about accepting customer containers and my experience is they are more open to it.”

And one added: “Would love it if we could bring our own clean reusable containers to the deli counter too, or just have products weighed and wrapped in paper,” while one wrote: “Hi Woolworths – any plans to change your store policy about not accepting reusable containers at the deli counter now that the basic flaws in our recycling system have been revealed?”

A Woolworths spokesperson told Starts at 60: “This is not something we can offer due to food safety and operational reasons. We continue to work hard on the reduction of unnecessary plastics right across our stores.

“This includes taking 3.2 billion single-use plastic bags out of circulation every year, and trials to remove plastic packaging from 80 fruit and vegetable lines over the next year. This work will build on the 140 tonnes of plastic saved in the fruit and vegetables range over the last 12 months.”

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As well as the food safety issues, customers bringing their own containers could also pose issues when food items are weighed, as each container will carry its own weight and make pricing difficult.

Meanwhile a Coles spokesperson added in their own statement: “Coles does not allow customers to bring in their own containers to use as it poses a health and safety risk. It also makes it very difficult for us to do a thorough investigation if a customer becomes ill and we are unsure where the container used came from.

“However, Coles is actively working to reduce waste and landfill through a variety of initiatives, such as removing single use plastic bags from all Coles supermarkets on July 1.”

Do you think supermarkets should allow customers to bring their own plastic containers?