Woolies trialling the return of old-fashioned brown paper bags

While many Baby Boomers will remember carrying brown paper bags filled with groceries, purchased at several local stores rather than the all-encompassing supermarkets of today, youngsters nowadays are far more familiar with stuffing their goods into plastic bags.

Woolies are taking a step back in time though, in a bid to limit plastic use and be more environmentally-friendly, as the supermarket giant is now trialling the return of brown paper bags in select stores across the country. The move came about after customers said they would like an alternative option to plastic reusable bags when they forget to take their own shopping with them.

“The vast majority of our customers bring their own bags to shop, but we know there are occasions when they forget or visit our stores unplanned,” a Woolworths spokesperson told Starts at 60. “Some customers have told us they would like the option of a paper bag when this happens.”

So far the bags – which are made from 80 per cent recycled paper and can be recycled alongside your everyday waste in curb-side collection – have been rolled out in 21 stores across Australia in a bid to test customer demand. If they are popular, Woolies may reinstate the traditional bags on a permanent basis.

While the bags may be more environmentally friendly though, at 20 cents a pop they will cost customers more than a regular reusable plastic bag which are priced at 15 cents, and are currently available at every Woolies store nationwide. Customers will also still be able to buy a 99 cents Bag for Good, which can be replaced for free if it has been damaged.

The news has received a mixed reaction from shoppers though, with some praising the supermarket for the switch to paper from plastic. However others questioned why they were going back in time, with one person writing: “Wow, they used to have paper bags in the 70s.”

While another said: “Back to the 50S, 40S, 50S, 60S, we go.”

However one happy shopper commented: “I think it’s a great idea. Should be free though … So should introduce them everywhere, no charge and dump any plastic bags. Plastic bags are crap anyway, they are so 80s.” And another said: “I like this!”

But while Woolies make a return to the old ways, it seems Coles won’t be following suit, with a spokesperson telling Starts at 60 that customers have expressed concerns about the longevity of paper bags, when compared with plastic.

“We know our community bags are loved by our customers, and we often see them being reused in daily life and returned to stores when people do their grocery shopping,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for our customers transport their shopping home and they’ve told us that paper bags are not always as durable as plastic and some have raised paper also has an impact on the environment.”

They added: “Coles is committed to being Australia’s most sustainable supermarket and we will continue to work with our customers to create a more sustainable future.”

Here are the locations of the Woolworths stores where paper bags are being trialled:

• Rouse Hill, NSW
• Marrickville Metro, NSW
• Town Hall, NSW
• Neutral Bay , NSW
• Double Bay, NSW
• Cairns, QLD
• Surfers Paradise, QLD
• Pacific Fair, QLD
• South Yarra, VIC
• QV, VIC
• Burwood Brickworks
• Bondi, NSW
• Rozelle, NSW
• Coogee, NSW
• Paddington, NSW
• Rose Bay , NSW
• Armadale, VIC
• Black Rock, VIC
• Hawksburn, VIC
• St Kilda, VIC
• Hawthorn, VIC