Find out the huge problem with Woolworths' new trolleys that's causing a stir among shoppers
- Replies 31
Woolworths, one of Australia's largest supermarket chains, has recently introduced a new line of shopping trolleys made from recycled plastic.
While the move is part of the company's commitment to sustainability, it has sparked criticism from customers who have encountered a series of issues with the new trolleys.
The new trolleys, made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—a material commonly used in milk and juice bottles—are part of Woolworths' efforts to reduce the use of new materials and give used plastic a second life.
However, the transition to these 'greener' trolleys has not been as smooth as the supermarket giant might have hoped.
Customers have taken to social media to voice their concerns about the new trolleys.
One Queensland shopper shared their experience on social media, stating: 'The new Woolworths trolley has arrived. It’s lightweight and very easy to manoeuvre, downside it’s much smaller. You can’t load two green bags alongside one another. Also being lightweight, the wind just picks them up and throws them across the car park.'
Another said: ‘We’ve had these new trolleys at our Woolies for a while. They’re awful.’
‘Pro tip: don’t park near them on windy days. They’re so light that they roll out of the trolley bays and keep going until they hit something.’
A third wrote: ‘They’re too light honestly, I struggle with them just taking off on me with the smallest movement.’
One more added: ‘Apparently they’re much more prone to being blown about by the wind.’
Added another: ‘I was talking to someone who works in a supermarket once, and I mentioned these. He said they had too much trouble with the wind making them too hard to control.’
‘You could make the frame, where the wheels attach, heavier to compensate. But the frame on this looks very light.’
Another shopper said: ‘These have been at my Woolies for well over a year now—they come in half trolley, full size and the one with the seat for the children and of course classic wonky wheel variant.’
‘What I hate about them is they have no under tray, nor do they have a hook to let me string my reusable bags to them. The old ones had a metal loop in the middle of the back I could do this with.’
Despite the criticism, some Woolworths customers have praised the new trolleys.
'I welcome them, 90 per cent lighter than the others. Load them up and they’re p*** easy to manage,' said one shopper.
Another added: 'We’ve had them in SA for ages. And the baskets. They’re great!'
In response to the criticism, a Woolworths spokesperson shares their sentiments.
‘The majority of recycled HDPE is from milk bottles, but there is a percentage from other drink bottles like juice bottles,’ a Woolworths spokesperson said.
The plastic trolleys are replacing existing ‘aged, broken or need replacing’ steel trolleys and are being used in most Woolworths stores.
‘We’re working hard to grow greener for our customers and the environment,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Our recycled trolleys have been very popular with customers and are currently available in select stores. We plan to continue rolling them out to new stores over the coming years.’
‘These trolleys are made from recycled plastic and give used milk bottles a second life in our stores, while also reducing the use of new materials to create trolleys.’
Despite these issues, the move towards more sustainable shopping trolleys is a positive step.
However, this is not the first time that Woolie shoppers have been disappointed with the newly recycled trolleys as a woman was ‘very annoyed’ at the design and its ‘lack of children seats’ when she used the trolleys while shopping.
What are your thoughts on the new Woolworths trolleys? Have you encountered any issues? Let us know in the comments below.
While the move is part of the company's commitment to sustainability, it has sparked criticism from customers who have encountered a series of issues with the new trolleys.
The new trolleys, made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—a material commonly used in milk and juice bottles—are part of Woolworths' efforts to reduce the use of new materials and give used plastic a second life.
However, the transition to these 'greener' trolleys has not been as smooth as the supermarket giant might have hoped.
Woolworths caused shopper outrage online with their new recycled trolleys, with some taking aim at their too-light weight. Image: Reddit
Customers have taken to social media to voice their concerns about the new trolleys.
One Queensland shopper shared their experience on social media, stating: 'The new Woolworths trolley has arrived. It’s lightweight and very easy to manoeuvre, downside it’s much smaller. You can’t load two green bags alongside one another. Also being lightweight, the wind just picks them up and throws them across the car park.'
Another said: ‘We’ve had these new trolleys at our Woolies for a while. They’re awful.’
‘Pro tip: don’t park near them on windy days. They’re so light that they roll out of the trolley bays and keep going until they hit something.’
A third wrote: ‘They’re too light honestly, I struggle with them just taking off on me with the smallest movement.’
One more added: ‘Apparently they’re much more prone to being blown about by the wind.’
Added another: ‘I was talking to someone who works in a supermarket once, and I mentioned these. He said they had too much trouble with the wind making them too hard to control.’
‘You could make the frame, where the wheels attach, heavier to compensate. But the frame on this looks very light.’
Another shopper said: ‘These have been at my Woolies for well over a year now—they come in half trolley, full size and the one with the seat for the children and of course classic wonky wheel variant.’
‘What I hate about them is they have no under tray, nor do they have a hook to let me string my reusable bags to them. The old ones had a metal loop in the middle of the back I could do this with.’
Despite the criticism, some Woolworths customers have praised the new trolleys.
'I welcome them, 90 per cent lighter than the others. Load them up and they’re p*** easy to manage,' said one shopper.
Another added: 'We’ve had them in SA for ages. And the baskets. They’re great!'
In response to the criticism, a Woolworths spokesperson shares their sentiments.
‘The majority of recycled HDPE is from milk bottles, but there is a percentage from other drink bottles like juice bottles,’ a Woolworths spokesperson said.
The plastic trolleys are replacing existing ‘aged, broken or need replacing’ steel trolleys and are being used in most Woolworths stores.
‘We’re working hard to grow greener for our customers and the environment,’ the spokesperson said.
‘Our recycled trolleys have been very popular with customers and are currently available in select stores. We plan to continue rolling them out to new stores over the coming years.’
‘These trolleys are made from recycled plastic and give used milk bottles a second life in our stores, while also reducing the use of new materials to create trolleys.’
Despite these issues, the move towards more sustainable shopping trolleys is a positive step.
However, this is not the first time that Woolie shoppers have been disappointed with the newly recycled trolleys as a woman was ‘very annoyed’ at the design and its ‘lack of children seats’ when she used the trolleys while shopping.
What are your thoughts on the new Woolworths trolleys? Have you encountered any issues? Let us know in the comments below.
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