Computer fail: Hundreds of supermarket items contain outdated labelling advice
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Navigating the aisles of your local supermarket, you might expect to find fresh produce, pantry staples, and the occasional great deal.
What you might not anticipate, however, is that some of these items could inadvertently lead you to a tech hiccup.
It seems that hundreds of supermarket products are still carrying outdated labelling advice, which, if followed, could result in a computer error message that leaves you scratching your head.
Nearly two years have passed since the REDcycle recycling scheme's unfortunate collapse, yet many products on the shelves continue to direct consumers to the defunct website for information on where to drop off soft plastics.
Customers who attempt to visit the site are met with the frustrating notification: 'This site can't be reached'.
This issue is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the frustrations faced by sustainability advocates.
Another major concern is the presence of the Australian Recycling Label (ARL) on many items packaged in soft plastics.
Despite the label, these items are not suitable for most yellow recycling bins, leading to accusations of 'greenwashing'—the practice of making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product.
The Boomerang Alliance, a coalition of sustainability non-profits, has described the situation as 'beyond a joke'.
In a recent sampling of products from major supermarkets, they found that many still advertised in-store soft plastic collection availability.
Yahoo News independently confirmed these findings, noting the presence of ARL, REDcycle, and generic recycling labels on various products, from snack foods to household cleaning items.
While some soft plastic recycling trials are underway in Australia, the ARL guidelines stipulated that for a product to be labelled 'recyclable', at least 80 per cent of the population must have 'convenient access' to a recycling service.
‘Check locally is just another attempt at greenwashing customers by the supermarkets,’ said Boomerang Alliance Director Jeff Angel.
Angel praised brands like Bega Cheese and Smiths Crisps for removing the logo from their packaging, arguing that while directing consumers to throw these items in the waste bin isn't ideal for the environment, it is at least transparent.
The issue of greenwashing is under scrutiny by the Senate, with the inquiry's chair, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, expressing that Australian consumers are 'fed up' with false sustainability claims.
‘They're fed up with walking into the supermarket and seeing an array of different products and being told lies about how environmentally friendly they are, that they’re saving animals or saving the climate,’ she said.
The government's own Climate Active trademark and Network 10's reality show MasterChef has also been criticised for having a deal with a gas corporation to advertise emerging technologies.
Environmentalists said the network was merely peddling ‘false solutions’ to the fuel, which it described as ‘unhealthy, polluting, and expensive’.
In the wake of the REDcycle scheme's failure, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek expressed a willingness to collaborate with supermarkets to find a viable solution for soft plastic recycling.
In 2023, the Australian Food and Grocery Council announced a trial allowing soft plastics to be placed in household yellow bins.
Supermarket giants ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths also announced their joint ‘road map to restart’ plan to resume soft plastic collection and recycling.
However, when questioned about the continued presence of the REDcycle logo on products, Coles and Woolworths indicated that removing it immediately could lead to increased waste, as some suppliers produce packaging years in advance.
Have you come across outdated recycling labels at your supermarket? How do you feel about the industry's claims of greenwashing? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
What you might not anticipate, however, is that some of these items could inadvertently lead you to a tech hiccup.
It seems that hundreds of supermarket products are still carrying outdated labelling advice, which, if followed, could result in a computer error message that leaves you scratching your head.
Nearly two years have passed since the REDcycle recycling scheme's unfortunate collapse, yet many products on the shelves continue to direct consumers to the defunct website for information on where to drop off soft plastics.
Customers who attempt to visit the site are met with the frustrating notification: 'This site can't be reached'.
Some supermarket products contained outdated labelling advice. Credit: Shutterstock
This issue is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the frustrations faced by sustainability advocates.
Another major concern is the presence of the Australian Recycling Label (ARL) on many items packaged in soft plastics.
Despite the label, these items are not suitable for most yellow recycling bins, leading to accusations of 'greenwashing'—the practice of making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product.
The Boomerang Alliance, a coalition of sustainability non-profits, has described the situation as 'beyond a joke'.
In a recent sampling of products from major supermarkets, they found that many still advertised in-store soft plastic collection availability.
Yahoo News independently confirmed these findings, noting the presence of ARL, REDcycle, and generic recycling labels on various products, from snack foods to household cleaning items.
While some soft plastic recycling trials are underway in Australia, the ARL guidelines stipulated that for a product to be labelled 'recyclable', at least 80 per cent of the population must have 'convenient access' to a recycling service.
‘Check locally is just another attempt at greenwashing customers by the supermarkets,’ said Boomerang Alliance Director Jeff Angel.
Angel praised brands like Bega Cheese and Smiths Crisps for removing the logo from their packaging, arguing that while directing consumers to throw these items in the waste bin isn't ideal for the environment, it is at least transparent.
The issue of greenwashing is under scrutiny by the Senate, with the inquiry's chair, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, expressing that Australian consumers are 'fed up' with false sustainability claims.
‘They're fed up with walking into the supermarket and seeing an array of different products and being told lies about how environmentally friendly they are, that they’re saving animals or saving the climate,’ she said.
The government's own Climate Active trademark and Network 10's reality show MasterChef has also been criticised for having a deal with a gas corporation to advertise emerging technologies.
Environmentalists said the network was merely peddling ‘false solutions’ to the fuel, which it described as ‘unhealthy, polluting, and expensive’.
In the wake of the REDcycle scheme's failure, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek expressed a willingness to collaborate with supermarkets to find a viable solution for soft plastic recycling.
In 2023, the Australian Food and Grocery Council announced a trial allowing soft plastics to be placed in household yellow bins.
Supermarket giants ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths also announced their joint ‘road map to restart’ plan to resume soft plastic collection and recycling.
However, when questioned about the continued presence of the REDcycle logo on products, Coles and Woolworths indicated that removing it immediately could lead to increased waste, as some suppliers produce packaging years in advance.
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