An Australian man has criticized Coles for requiring customers to purchase paper bags while simultaneously inundating their stores with excessive plastic packaging.
Daniel Berti took to TikTok on Wednesday to highlight the extensive use of plastic packaging at his local supermarket.
“So, we’re all supposed to pay for paper bags to cut down on plastic waste, right?” he questioned.
“Yet everything at Coles is wrapped in plastic.”
In mid-2018, major Australian supermarkets, including Woolworths and Coles, phased out free single-use plastic bags.
Customers were then compelled to buy reusable plastic or paper bags, priced between 15 cents and $2.50.
Mr Berti told Daily Mail that Coles and other major supermarkets were more interested in paper bag profits than the environment.
‘There’s no doubt it has increased their revenue,’ he said.
Mr Berti highlighted how ‘everything’ was packed in plastic at supermarkets like Coles
He showed various items packed in plastic at Coles in his video
‘There’s no chance (they’ll go back to the old plastic bags). By them pushing paper bags, they’re marketing that they’re making a difference.
‘Funny how supermarkets ditched paper bags “for the environment”, yet everything inside is wrapped in plastic’.
A 2018 analysis by the Queensland University of Technology revealed that Coles and Woolworths stand to make up to $71million in gross profit by replacing free lightweight plastic bags with heavier 15cent options.
A Coles spokesperson said at the time: ‘We have based the prices for our bags on the cost of supply and operational costs.’
But Mr Berti argued the plastic bags could be re-used around the house.
‘We used to reuse the bags as bin liners. Now we have to buy paper bags just to throw plastic away,’ he said.
Many Aussies agreed with Mr Berti.
‘It’s just another way for them to make money,’ one user wrote.
Giant bags of potatoes are packed in plastic bags which eventually are thrown into the bin
Many pointed out that the introduction of reusable bags has benefited the environment
‘They just want your 15cents for more profit, always trying to keep the shareholder happy,’ another said.
But others defended the plastic bag ban.
‘It’s absurd people don’t understand that less plastic is actually still helping the environment. According to their logic, if we can’t end all plastic use entirely, we may as well disregard any attempt to reduce plastic,’ one person wrote.
‘Green Sea Turtles are no longer an endangered species. That is one tangible result of getting rid of individual plastic waste,’ another said.
A Coles spokesperson told Daily Mail the supermarket used plastic packaging to ensure the quality of its goods.
‘Packaging used for fresh produce, including the items shown in this video, plays an important role in protecting products during transportation, preserving freshness, preventing contamination, and ultimately reducing food waste,’ they said.
‘At the same time, we recognise the need to balance functionality, quality and safety with reducing environmental impact.
‘Coles is committed to removing unnecessary plastic across our stores and online, while also making it easier for customers to recycle packaging wherever possible.
Reusable plastic and paper bags have earned the major supermarkets millions since 2018
‘Since phasing out soft plastic shopping bags in 2023, we have removed 230million plastic bags from circulation every year.’
Late last year, an audit conducted by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and the Boomerang Alliance found that Australia’s largest supermarkets were failing to address the nation’s growing plastic pollution crisis.
It found that about 140,000tonnes of plastic entered the environment every year, with packaging accounting for 58 per cent of litter collected.
The audit assessed Australia’s four major supermarket groups – Woolworths, Coles, ALDI, and Metcash (IGA, Foodland, Friendly Grocer, and Eziway).
It found that Woolworths and Metcash made improvements since 2023, while Coles declined year-on-year.
‘Supermarkets are sweeping the plastic pollution crisis under the shelf,’ AMCS program manager Tara Jones said.
‘We saw single garlic bulbs packed in their own plastic bags. If online orders are contributing to more single-use plastic, urgent action is needed.’
