Australia’s battle against plastic pollution has taken a promising turn, with supermarket giant Coles rolling out an eye-catching packaging change that’s got eco-conscious shoppers talking. As the nation grapples with a massive 3.79 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, the move to swap plastic grape bags for recyclable paper alternatives has been met with applause—and a few skeptical glances.
A Small Change with a Big Impact
Spotted by keen-eyed shopper Maraya at a Coles store in Warriewood Square, NSW, the new paper grape bags have sparked excitement among those eager to cut down on unnecessary plastic.
“It’s such an easy swap that will make a huge difference to the amount of plastic grape bags purchased every week,” Maraya told Yahoo News Australia. “I hope to see other supermarkets taking the initiative and changing their plastic for paper as well.”
The new bags, which feature handles for easy carrying and are fully recyclable, form part of Coles’ wider commitment to reducing plastic use across its stores.
Coles’ Growing Push for Sustainability
A Coles spokeswoman confirmed that the supermarket is focused on cutting back on unnecessary plastic, particularly in the fresh produce section.
“We are always looking for ways to reduce unnecessary plastic in our stores and know the fresh produce department is ripe for packaging innovation,” she said.
The grape bag swap follows successful trials of plastic-free blueberry punnets in 34 NSW stores last year. The switch to recycled, FSC-certified cardboard was well received, paving the way for further sustainable packaging initiatives.
In another move, Coles’ Unique Selection mandarins were trialed in a recyclable bag instead of the usual plastic net, saving a staggering 11,700 kilograms of plastic in just one year.
Not Everyone Is Convinced
While many customers have embraced the plastic-free grape bags, some remain skeptical about their practicality.
“Good in theory, but I like being able to see into the clear bag to make sure they aren’t all gross inside,” one shopper commented online. Another voiced concerns about durability: “They’ll probably rip like the shopping paper bags.”
But others were quick to defend the switch. “These bags aren’t meant to be carried long distances,” one shopper pointed out. “The handles are there to pick them up and place them in a trolley or a basket. Then they’re meant to be put in a bigger bag and taken home.”
Encouraged by the positive response, Coles has hinted at more sustainable packaging innovations in the pipeline.
“[We] look forward to sharing more packaging innovation with our customers in the future,” the spokeswoman said.
