Coles finds itself under observation as a customer shared photos of conflicting in-store signage in the fruit and vegetable section regarding plastic use. One sign nudges patrons to reconsider plastic bag use: "Do you really need a bag? Place your loose fruit & veg directly into the basket". Meanwhile, another suggests individually wrapped cucumbers benefit from extended freshness: "We wrap cucumbers to stay fresh longer".
Concerns over these mixed messages surfaced online, with critics questioning the supermarket's stance. A Reddit user reflected, "They use plastic with pretty much every product, yet put the blame on us for using a plastic bag at checkout and to bag our fruit and veg. It's all crap. Is plastic the customer's fault? Look around, Coles, WE aren't the problem." Another added, "Yes, we need bags. It's never been about the environment, it's about control and money."
A Coles spokesperson responded to 7News, affirming Coles' dedication to minimizing unnecessary plastic usage and enhancing recycling efficiency. The spokesperson mentioned initiatives like promoting loose fruit and vegetables to reduce single-use plastic bags, introducing recyclable packaging for grapes, and experimenting with fiber-based blueberry packaging.
Environmental scientist Paul Harvey questioned the efficacy of plastic wrappers, asking, "I always ask, if a plastic package can extend the shelf life of a 'fresh' food item for days or weeks, then what is the nutritional value of that product?" He suggested that food waste is prevalent, irrespective of plastic wrapping. Harvey critiqued marketing efforts involving plastic, stating that most packaging is about sales and not quality control.
Australia utilizes roughly 70 billion pieces of soft plastics yearly. With debates like the one surrounding Coles' signage, questions about supermarket sustainability persist. Harvey noted, "Often the packages contain baseless claims about containing 'near ocean', 'ocean bound' or 'compostable' materials." His perspective signals a larger concern about climate change, urging supermarkets to adopt sustainable practices mandated by regulators and real change in waste reduction.
Source: 7 News