Why Woolies and Coles are refusing to serve customers with plastic containers
Woolworths and Coles have come under fire for not allowing environmentally conscious shoppers to bring their own containers for deli items.
Both supermarket companies use health and safety as reasons for the ban, but customers who have been refused the plastic-saving option are not satisfied.
Frustrated shoppers have stated that the rule has not applied when shopping at smaller retailers as one woman said she was “very disappointed” after being denied by deli staff when wanting to use a container she brought from home at her local Coles store in Southland, Victoria.
“When I asked the Store Manager as to why, I was told that due to hygiene reasons, company policy did not allow for this,” she posted on the Coles Facebook page.
“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.
“Coles, please rethink your policy and help reduce what is a massive waste issue. Thank you.”
And she wasn’t the only one disappointed in the supermarket's policy, as other shoppers have also voiced their concerns on the company’s social media page.
“This was a container from a previous purchase of olives from this store and was obviously clean and undamaged. The young lady seemed surprised when I said I didn’t want any if I can’t reuse my container. Well, I won’t be shopping at Coles again,” a man said.
Competitor Woolworths also received the same treatment with several customers demanding a more environmentally-friendly alternative.
“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,” said a user on the company's Facebook page.
“Any plans to change your store policy about not accepting reusable containers at the deli counter?” asked another.
Speaking to Yahoo7, a spokesperson from Woolworths said: “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 included 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.”
Coles also agrees with these sentiments as it believes it’s a health and safety risk, saying it made it “very difficult for us to do a thorough investigation if a customer becomes ill and we are unsure where the used container came from".
What do you think of Coles and Woolworths' plastic container policy? Let us know in the comments below.