Coles backflips on plastic bag ban AGAIN
Plastic bag bans have been successfully implemented all over the world – why can’t Australia get it right?
Just when we thought the plastic bag drama was over in our nation, supermarket giant Coles has backflipped on its decision yet again, and it’s causing furore.
The plastic bag ban has divided the nation since it came into effect, and now Coles has announced it is reversing its decision to remove plastic bags, with the store now offering reusable plastic bags for free – indefinitely.
The supermarket chain removed single-use plastic bags from all of its stores on July 1 in NSW, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria, after it copped major backlash.
However, Coles ended up offering customers reusable plastic bags – for free.
August 1 was supposed to mark the cut-off date of handing out free plastic bags, but the supermarket giant confirmed to News.com.au that it is going to continue offering the reusable plastic bags for free – and which normally cost 15 cents each.
A spokesperson from Coles went to great lengths to justify the company’s plastic bag ban backflip to news.com.au.
“When Coles phased out single use plastic bags on 1 July in QLD, NSW, Victoria and WA, some customers told us they needed more time to make the transition to reusable bags,” the spokesperson claimed.
“We’ve been delighted to see customers grow more accustomed to bringing their reusable bags from home, so they are relying less on complimentary bags at the checkout.”
They continued, “Many customers bringing bags from home are still finding themselves short a bag or two, so we are offering complimentary reusable Better Bags to help them complete their shopping.
“Complimentary bags are intended to be an interim measure to help customers make the transition to reusable bags.”
The spokesperson concluded, “We will continue to listen to our customers and our teams’ members on an ongoing basis to assess when customers have become accustomed to bringing their own bags, and will provide them with as much notice as possible.”
Coles’ backflip decision has caused furore amongst environmental groups and social media users.
Jeff Angel, director of environmental group Boomerang Alliance, told the Herald Sun last week that it’s a “weak act”.
“These so-called reusable plastic bags are almost as thin as the banned lightweight ones,’’ Jeff commented.
“They have a very limited life and the removal of the price signal also means they are more likely to be littered – something we warned about.”
And social media users have been vocal also.
Twitter user @ch10033 wrote, “What is the point of the reusable plastic bags! If Coles is going to hand them out for free, they’re going to be just as disposable as the original ones!”
While @kristenbubb declared, “Poor move today @Coles. How will change ever happen if plastic bags are continually given out for free? #WarOnWasteAU
And another: “What on earth is @Coles doing? Flip-flopping all over the place regarding bags now they are continuing to give reusable bags away. There is no reason to. If coles actually care about the environment they would do what they intended in the beginning,” said @TheSupremeRanga on Twitter.
What do you think about Coles backflipping on its decision to ban plastic bags? Do you take your own shopping bags when you go grocery shopping? Tell us in the comments below.