You know that satisfying clang when you pull a trolley from the supermarket? Well, that familiar sound is slowly disappearing from stores across Australia.
Woolworths has been quietly replacing its entire fleet of metal wire trolleys with new plastic ones made from recycled milk bottles—and it's one of the most significant changes to hit the supermarket giant.
The transformation began back in 2020, when Woolworths partnered with Melbourne-based manufacturer Supercart to trial the new trolleys.
What started as a trial at Metro Randwick has now spread to hundreds of stores nationwide, with the distinctive dark green trolleys becoming an increasingly common sight.
More than just a trolley upgrade
This isn't simply about getting shinier shopping carts. Each 180-litre shopping trolley is manufactured using two-litre recycled milk cartons that would otherwise be destined for recycling depots or landfills.
Woolworths has been on a plastic reduction spree that would make any environmentally-conscious senior proud.
Woolworths has achieved a significant milestone in green packaging, having removed approximately 9,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from circulation over the last four years.
'Not only will shoppers enjoy the lightweight, greater manoeuvrability and functionality of our trolleys, they will also be part of the solution in saving plastics from our oceans and landfill.'
That's roughly equivalent to removing 360 million empty milk bottles from circulation.
The trolleys are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The supermarket's packaging also changed on more than 550 products, resulting in the removal of almost 800 tonnes of plastic from produce, around 600 tonnes from bakery products, and approximately 400 tonnes annually from milk bottles since 2018.
Woolworths' sustainability targets by 2025
50 per cent reduction in virgin plastic packaging
60 per cent recycled content across brand packaging
100 per cent of own-brand packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable
What you'll notice (and what you'll miss)
The new trolleys have several advantages. They're lighter, easier to push, and do not use wonky wheels.
The smooth plastic construction allows them to glide more quietly through the aisles.
However, many still prefer the clatter when metal wire trolleys crash together as you return them to the bay.
These might seem like trivial details, but for those of us who've been doing the weekly shop for decades, these sounds were part of the ritual.
The science behind your weekly shop
The fleet of Supercart trolleys will divert 18,120 two-litre plastic milk bottles from the oceans and landfill.
The manufacturing process turns those discarded milk bottles through a sophisticated recycling system.
Throughout the process, the plastic is cleaned, shredded, and reformed into trolley components that are actually stronger and more durable than their wire predecessors.
The competition heats up
However, Woolworths is not the only one doing recycling efforts.
Coles has introduced its own Smart Trolley fleet, featuring a similar plastic construction and integrated scanning technology.
Their trolleys feature a grey design with red accents that match their brand colours, but lack the recycled content story that Woolworths promoted.
Meanwhile, ALDI retained their coin-operated wire trolleys, and Costco stuck with industrial-strength trolleys meant for bulk-buying.
Did you know?
The average Australian household generates approximately four kilograms of plastic waste per week. If every supermarket trolley in Australia were made from recycled plastic, it could divert approximately 50 million plastic bottles from landfills annually.
What this means for your weekly shop
For everyday shoppers, the changes are mostly positive. The improved manoeuvrability is appreciated by anyone dealing with mobility issues.
These trolleys also require less physical effort to push and steer. The reduced noise levels also make for a more pleasant shopping experience.
One drawback some long-time shoppers mention is the loss of tactile feedback. Wire trolleys had a certain heft that made them feel secure.
The lighter plastic alternatives can initially feel less stable, though most users adapt quickly.
This trolley transformation reflects a broader shift in how major retailers think about customer service and environmental responsibility.
There are projections that the partnership could see 18,000 tonnes of newly produced plastic replaced with locally made recycled plastic each year, which would relate to an estimated decrease in carbon emissions of almost 25,000 tonnes. This is equivalent to planting more than 37,000 trees and a saving of nearly 500 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water annually.
For those of us who remember when plastic bags were seen as the modern, convenient solution to paper bags, there's something satisfying about watching plastic find new life.
The transition might signal the end of an era for the familiar clang and rattle of wire trolleys. Still, it's the beginning of something more meaningful.
What do you think about the new trolleys? Have you encountered them at your local Woolworths, and how do they compare to the old wire ones? Share your experience in the comments below.
Primary source
Woolworths' new trolley initiative praised by shoppers: 'awesome'
Cited text: 'Woolworths launched their recycled trolleys in partnership with Supercart in March 2020. '
Excerpt: 'The transformation began back in 2020, when Woolworths partnered with Melbourne-based manufacturer Supercart to trial the new trolleys.'
Woolworths' new trolley initiative praised by shoppers: 'awesome'
Woolworths' have revealed new trolleys made out of a surprising grocery item. Find out how they're made.au.news.yahoo.com
Woolworths commits to sustainability with Supercart trolley fleet in Sydney store — Supercart Australia—Australian Made Shopping Trolleys
Cited text: 'Supercart Australia will continue to innovate in this space for the positive impacts it creates.” · Each 180-litre shopping trolley is manufactured...'
Excerpt: 'Each 180-litre shopping trolley is manufactured using two-litre recycled milk cartons that would otherwise be destined for recycling depots or landfills.'
Woolworths commits to sustainability with Supercart trolley fleet in Sydney store — Supercart Australia - Australian Made Shopping Trolleys
Woolworths Australia continues to support more sustainable shopping practices with the purchase of Supercart shopping trolleys in its Randwick Metro store. Metro Randwick is the first in the Woolworths Metro-branded group of stores to order Supercart shopping trolleys, which will divert 18,120 two-www.supercart.com.au
Woolworths removes 9,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from home brand
Cited text: 'Woolworths has hit a green packaging milestone as it recently removed about 9,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from circulation over the last four years...'
Excerpt: 'Woolworths has achieved a significant milestone in green packaging, having removed approximately 9,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from circulation over the last four years.'
Woolworths removes 9,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from home brand
Woolworths has hit a green packaging milestone as it recently removed about 9,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from circulation over the last four years.
supplychainchannel.co
Woolworths slashes plastic packaging output—Inside Waste
Cited text: 'The packaging has been changed on more than 550 products, which has seen almost 800 tonnes of plastic removed from produce, around 600 tonnes removed ...'
Excerpt: 'The supermarket's packaging also changed on more than 550 products, resulting in the removal of almost 800 tonnes of plastic from produce, around 600 tonnes from bakery products, and approximately 400 tonnes annually from milk bottles since 2018.'
Woolworth brand recycled plastic—AMTIL
Cited text: 'Projections that the partnership could see 18,000-tonnes of newly made plastic replaced with locally-produced recycled plastic each year would relate...'
Excerpt: 'There are projections that the partnership could see 18,000 tonnes of newly produced plastic replaced with locally made recycled plastic each year, which would relate to an estimated decrease in carbon emissions of almost 25,000 tonnes.'
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