Coles has removed single-use fresh produce plastic bags in all stores across Western Australia, replacing them with a compostable alternative.
This is in line with the next stage of the state’s plastic ban, which comes into effect this Sunday (1 September).
Made from compostable materials including natural plant starch, the new bags carry the Australasian seedling logo which certifies their ‘compostability’ as per the Australian Standard.
Coles Group Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells says the change introduced across the retailer’s 101 Western Australian stores will reduce the number of conventional plastic bags in circulation and help encourage home composting.
“Our customers will now be able to pack their fresh fruit and veg in certified compostable bags that can either be put it in their council bin for those in participating local government areas or added to home compost where it will break down naturally,” he says.
“We know our customers want to see less plastic in our stores, and this latest change will see the removal of 36 million conventional plastic produce bags from circulation in WA in just one year.”
Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling congratulates Coles but encourages customers to remember to bring their own reusable bags to store.
“Compostable bags help families recycle food waste by providing them with an easy and convenient way to collect food scraps at home that otherwise could have ended up in landfill. They’re also budget friendly, reducing the need for families to buy their own kitchen caddy bags,” she says.
“While this is definitely a step in the right direction, our advice to customers purchasing loose fruit and vegetables is to place items directly into their trolley or basket wherever possible, particularly products with their own ‘natural packaging’ such as bananas and avocados, or bring their own reusable produce bags.”