Coles' paper bag switch sparks debate among shoppers
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The move towards sustainability is a journey with many twists and turns, and for Coles shoppers, it's taken a rather 'confusing' turn with the recent change in paper bag sizes for online deliveries.
Last year, Coles made a significant eco-friendly stride by phasing out all plastic shopping bags in favour of paper ones.
While this was met with a mix of applause and scepticism, the latest adjustment has left some customers scratching their heads.
The 'shrinking' paper bags have been a hot topic among online shoppers who have noticed that their groceries now arrive in more bags than before.
This change sparked a debate on whether the new approach is truly better for the environment, or if it's a step back in the quest for sustainability.
One Adelaide shopper expressed her bewilderment online, stating, 'My online order just arrived, and it's hard to tell by looking at this, but these bags are like half the size of a regular bag. So instead of having five or six bags of groceries, I have, like, 10.'
‘I'm all for using paper bags, it's better for the environment, but how is this better for the environment when I have double the amount of bags now to recycle, or throw away in the bin... I'm confused,’ she continued.
The sentiment was echoed by a Melbourne customer who was concerned about being charged the same amount for each bag, despite needing more of them to accommodate the same amount of groceries.
Meanwhile, a Gosford resident lamented the difficulty in carrying groceries due to the smaller bags, calling it 'another step in the wrong direction'.
The online community has been vocal, with some shoppers reporting up to 15 paper bags for a single shop, leaving them 'dumbfounded' by the change.
In response to the uproar, Coles explained the change.
'The new Coles Online version will fit more easily into packing crates, which will lead to less damage and improved reuse,' a spokesperson said.
Despite the size reduction of 13.5 centimetres, the bags are designed to carry the same weight as the original paper bags.
Online shoppers will continue to pay a flat rate of $1.50 for bags, regardless of the number required for their shop.
Coles remains steadfast in their commitment to sustainability, encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags, or purchase tote bags from the supermarket.
'The most sustainable option is to bring your own reusable bag to the supermarket, 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,' Coles Group Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells stated last May.
Coles’ reusable paper bags had been met with complaints about its quality when they were released last year.
The decision to reduce the size of these bags was also trialled late last year, and was also welcomed with customer dissatisfaction.
Do you have thoughts on the new paper bag sizes or tips on how to manage them? Share your insights with us in the comments below.
Last year, Coles made a significant eco-friendly stride by phasing out all plastic shopping bags in favour of paper ones.
While this was met with a mix of applause and scepticism, the latest adjustment has left some customers scratching their heads.
The 'shrinking' paper bags have been a hot topic among online shoppers who have noticed that their groceries now arrive in more bags than before.
This change sparked a debate on whether the new approach is truly better for the environment, or if it's a step back in the quest for sustainability.
Customers expressed their confusion after Coles changed the size of their paper bags used for online deliveries. Credits: Facebook
One Adelaide shopper expressed her bewilderment online, stating, 'My online order just arrived, and it's hard to tell by looking at this, but these bags are like half the size of a regular bag. So instead of having five or six bags of groceries, I have, like, 10.'
‘I'm all for using paper bags, it's better for the environment, but how is this better for the environment when I have double the amount of bags now to recycle, or throw away in the bin... I'm confused,’ she continued.
The sentiment was echoed by a Melbourne customer who was concerned about being charged the same amount for each bag, despite needing more of them to accommodate the same amount of groceries.
Meanwhile, a Gosford resident lamented the difficulty in carrying groceries due to the smaller bags, calling it 'another step in the wrong direction'.
The online community has been vocal, with some shoppers reporting up to 15 paper bags for a single shop, leaving them 'dumbfounded' by the change.
In response to the uproar, Coles explained the change.
'The new Coles Online version will fit more easily into packing crates, which will lead to less damage and improved reuse,' a spokesperson said.
Despite the size reduction of 13.5 centimetres, the bags are designed to carry the same weight as the original paper bags.
Online shoppers will continue to pay a flat rate of $1.50 for bags, regardless of the number required for their shop.
Coles remains steadfast in their commitment to sustainability, encouraging shoppers to bring their own reusable bags, or purchase tote bags from the supermarket.
'The most sustainable option is to bring your own reusable bag to the supermarket, 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,' Coles Group Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells stated last May.
Coles’ reusable paper bags had been met with complaints about its quality when they were released last year.
The decision to reduce the size of these bags was also trialled late last year, and was also welcomed with customer dissatisfaction.
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