Coles will replace single-use plastic bags with certified compostable bags in the fresh produce section of all South Australian stores.
The change comes into effect 12 months ahead of new state-wide regulation banning plastic produce bags, which forms part of South Australia’s push to eliminate the use of environmentally harmful single-use plastics.
Coles Group Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells says the decision to offer compostable bags in all 54 South Australian stores will help to reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill and help families to recycle more food waste.
“SA’s gold standard waste and recycling collection system has allowed us to take this positive step to offer our customers a compostable solution in fresh produce in all stores across the state,” he says.
“The advantage of these new compostable bags is that they can be disposed of in your green bin, or on your home compost heap, and will remove a total of 28 million plastic produce bags from circulation in just one year.
“Our new compostable bag can also be reused in your kitchen food waste caddy, reducing the need to buy your own bags.”
Coles’ compostable bags are made from renewable resources including corn starch and carry the ‘Seedling logo’ which certifies that the compostability of the bags has been verified to the Australian standard.
In addition to the free compostable bags, customers also have the option to purchase a three-pack of reusable mesh produce bags that have recently been reduced in price from $3 to $1.50 nationally as part of the new ‘Great Value, Hands Down’ campaign which launched in August.
To further reduce unnecessary and problematic plastic packaging, Coles has now expanded its Bring Your Own Container initiative to all stores in South Australia following a successful trial. This gives customers the option to have selected products from the deli department packed into their own container, reducing the amount of plastic they dispose of at home.