Coles slammed by customer for selling a washable bag costing $15 as it phases out soft-plastic shopping bags
- Customers blasts hefty price tag on paper bags
- Coles hit back saying the bags help shoppers
- It has banned single-use plastic bags across stores
An irate customer has blasted a major supermarket chain for the price tag on a new reusable shopping bag it has introduced in stores.
The customer lashed out at supermarket giant Coles on Twitter over its introduction of $15 ‘washable’ paper bags at a store.
‘$15 for a paper bag??? That’s a hard no from me,’ the social media user posted on Sunday
‘Your [sic] blatantly ripping off your customers. @Coles You have no shame’.
In a statement, Coles hit back at the hefty price of the bags and said it would allow shoppers to choose whether they were interested in the item for carrying their shopping in.
A customer has slammed supermarket giant Coles for ‘ripping off’ shoppers by charging $15 for ‘washable’ paper bags at its stores
‘Our washable paper bag, made from FSC certified paper has recently launched in-store as another option for customers to use when shopping,’ a spokesperson said.
‘The $15 price is based on a number of factors, including the materials used and its ability to be machine washable.
‘The leather-like washable paper bag also has a longer life span compared to soft plastic and paper bags and can carry up to 20 kg.’
It comes as the retailer stopped selling single-use plastic bags across its stores in Australia.
Coles said the price for the paper bags were justified as they are made from materials that are washable and allows shoppers to carry bulky items up to 20kg
Coles made the announcement in May as part of efforts to protect the environment by reducing the amount of plastic that is wasted.
Shoppers have to pay 15 cents if they want to use the bags to carry their groceries when they shop in store.
‘This month we phased out all soft plastic shopping bags… which will remove 230 million plastic bags from circulation in one year.
‘We also continue to offer our customers 100 per-cent recycled paper bags for 25 cents, a range of reusable tote bags that retail from $1.00 and chiller bags which are $2.50 each.’
The retailer banned single-use plastic bags in May and said they wouldn’t be provided for purchases in store or online for customers by June
People have been urged to bring their own bags when they go shopping.
Coles Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindells said in May that stores will still provide plastic bags for customers that are recyclable.
‘The most sustainable option is to bring your own reusable bag to the supermarket,’ he said.
‘But for those who forget, we will continue to sell 100 per cent recycled paper bags that can be recycled kerbside as well as other reusable options.’