The Australian landscape is a treasure trove of natural beauty, but a worrying trend has been tarnishing its charm.

Ian Thomson, a Cleaning Specialist from environmental advocacy group Ocean Crusaders, has been on a mission to halt the dumping of supermarket trolleys in our parks and waterways—a problem that's costing Aussie shoppers thousands of dollars annually.

However, the issue has been exacerbated by Woolworths' promise for 'a greener future' and their introduction of so-called environmentally friendly, recyclable trolleys.

Thomson and his Brisbane-based team say they retrieve an average of 300 trolleys annually from rivers and lakes across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

While traditional metal trolleys can often be returned and reused, the plastic ones from Woolworths—purportedly made from 74 plastic milk bottles—often can't be.

Abandoned plastic trolleys are often found in rivers around Australia. Image source: Ocean Crusaders.

'Don't be fooled,' Ocean Crusaders wrote on their social media page.

'There are no certificates to prove their claims of 74 milk bottles in every trolley, but do the maths.'

The plastic trolleys are more prone to breakage, according to Thomson.

'They're really light, a lot lighter than the metal ones, and I've seen plenty of them broken,' Thomson added.

'They're also getting stuck together [after we recover them], which also damages them.'

'You didn't have that with the metal ones.'

Each trolley costs roughly $300 to replace, a cost that Thomson said is often passed onto consumers through their grocery bills.

He also claimed that most stores 'don't do much' to recover lost trolleys or at least broken parts.

Thomson explained that if a plastic trolley is damaged, Woolworths will simply 'undo the bolts and put a new crate on top of [the metal base] and then just throw the other trolley away'.

This, he claimed, is a cheaper method for the supermarket giant, but it's not environmentally friendly.

'If they are going to lose trolleys, they shouldn't be a disposable item, it's not really good for the environment.'

In a video posted on the Ocean Crusader's Facebook page, Thomson called out Woolworths over its 'claim to be pushing for a greener future.'

He showed a few dozen trolleys—both broken and intact—which his team recently retrieved from the Cornmeal Creek in Maroochydore.

Thomson was told by the manager at the local Woolies store that they're missing about 150 trolleys.

'That's $45,000 consumers are paying in their groceries at just one store,' he claimed.

Video source: Facebook / Ocean Crusaders.​

Thomson believes that a simple solution to the problem would be to introduce a token or coin system like what ALDI has in place, which would 'reduce the amount of trolleys in the environment'.

'They could make those tokens out of recycled plastic and even have their branding on it, but they won't because they're worried about backlash,' he said.

Woolworths previously said that their shopping trolleys are made of recycled plastic and are more environmentally friendly.

When asked about Thomson's claims, including why Woolworths switched to plastic trolleys and if they'd consider using tokens, the supermarket declined to answer directly.

However, a spokesperson did confirm that broken baskets returned to them are 'sent back to where the trolleys are manufactured, melted back down and then remoulded into a brand new trolley'.

Regarding trolley dumping in general, a Woolies spokesperson said that the 'vast majority [of people] do the right thing in returning them'.

'We understand abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance, and that's why we invest millions in collection services to help mitigate their impact in the community,' a spokesperson said.

'We work closely with dedicated collection contractors who respond quickly to reports of abandoned trolleys to return them to our stores.'

'They also conduct regular sweeps for abandoned trolleys in the streets surrounding our stores.'

It is understood that the supermarket giant is partnered with Trolley Tracker—a service that allows members of the public to report abandoned trolleys.

Key Takeaways

• Woolworths' recyclable shopping trolleys, introduced in 2020, have been criticised by a cleaning specialist for being disposable and potentially harmful to the environment.
• Ocean Crusaders, a cleaning team from Brisbane, regularly finds and retrieves dumped trolleys from waterways, stating that plastic trolleys cannot always be recycled like traditional metal ones.
• Ian Thomson of Ocean Crusaders claimed the cost of replacing lost or damaged trolleys is passed on to consumers through grocery prices, with each plastic trolley costing around $300 to replace.
• Woolworths asserted that collected broken trolleys are returned to the manufacturer to be melted down and remoulded, and highlighted its investment in collection services to mitigate the impact of abandoned trolleys in the community.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed an increase in abandoned trolleys in your local area? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

 

[Annna]

It's an app called "Snap/send/solve"

Thankyou

 

[Annna]

Yes I have and I have also seen alot of new Australians from Arab areas walking the trolleys down local streets and then seeing the trolleys left on the verge. I wonder if they know it is an offence to remove a trolley from the shopping centre car park.

It happens where I live too but the residents in our area are predominantly Australians.

 

[DotP]

in the city of Casey Vic , where we lived before relocating to Baldivis WA , all supermarkets had coin trolleys .Stopped 90% being left and not returned to trolley bays !

 

[Ronloby]

It is OK to have a coin deposit for Trolleys but, what about a cashless society approaching around the corner?

 

[Gwen Sumatluck]

The Australian landscape is a treasure trove of natural beauty, but a worrying trend has been tarnishing its charm.

Ian Thomson, a Cleaning Specialist from environmental advocacy group Ocean Crusaders, has been on a mission to halt the dumping of supermarket trolleys in our parks and waterways—a problem that's costing Aussie shoppers thousands of dollars annually.

However, the issue has been exacerbated by Woolworths' promise for 'a greener future' and their introduction of so-called environmentally friendly, recyclable trolleys.

Thomson and his Brisbane-based team say they retrieve an average of 300 trolleys annually from rivers and lakes across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

While traditional metal trolleys can often be returned and reused, the plastic ones from Woolworths—purportedly made from 74 plastic milk bottles—often can't be.

View attachment 39869

Abandoned plastic trolleys are often found in rivers around Australia. Image source: Ocean Crusaders.

'Don't be fooled,' Ocean Crusaders wrote on their social media page.

'There are no certificates to prove their claims of 74 milk bottles in every trolley, but do the maths.'

The plastic trolleys are more prone to breakage, according to Thomson.

'They're really light, a lot lighter than the metal ones, and I've seen plenty of them broken,' Thomson added.

'They're also getting stuck together [after we recover them], which also damages them.'

'You didn't have that with the metal ones.'

Each trolley costs roughly $300 to replace, a cost that Thomson said is often passed onto consumers through their grocery bills.

He also claimed that most stores 'don't do much' to recover lost trolleys or at least broken parts.

Thomson explained that if a plastic trolley is damaged, Woolworths will simply 'undo the bolts and put a new crate on top of [the metal base] and then just throw the other trolley away'.

This, he claimed, is a cheaper method for the supermarket giant, but it's not environmentally friendly.

'If they are going to lose trolleys, they shouldn't be a disposable item, it's not really good for the environment.'

In a video posted on the Ocean Crusader's Facebook page, Thomson called out Woolworths over its 'claim to be pushing for a greener future.'

He showed a few dozen trolleys—both broken and intact—which his team recently retrieved from the Cornmeal Creek in Maroochydore.

Thomson was told by the manager at the local Woolies store that they're missing about 150 trolleys.

'That's $45,000 consumers are paying in their groceries at just one store,' he claimed.

Video source: Facebook / Ocean Crusaders.​

Thomson believes that a simple solution to the problem would be to introduce a token or coin system like what ALDI has in place, which would 'reduce the amount of trolleys in the environment'.

'They could make those tokens out of recycled plastic and even have their branding on it, but they won't because they're worried about backlash,' he said.

Woolworths previously said that their shopping trolleys are made of recycled plastic and are more environmentally friendly.

When asked about Thomson's claims, including why Woolworths switched to plastic trolleys and if they'd consider using tokens, the supermarket declined to answer directly.

However, a spokesperson did confirm that broken baskets returned to them are 'sent back to where the trolleys are manufactured, melted back down and then remoulded into a brand new trolley'.

Regarding trolley dumping in general, a Woolies spokesperson said that the 'vast majority [of people] do the right thing in returning them'.

'We understand abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance, and that's why we invest millions in collection services to help mitigate their impact in the community,' a spokesperson said.

'We work closely with dedicated collection contractors who respond quickly to reports of abandoned trolleys to return them to our stores.'

'They also conduct regular sweeps for abandoned trolleys in the streets surrounding our stores.'

It is understood that the supermarket giant is partnered with Trolley Tracker—a service that allows members of the public to report abandoned trolleys.

Key Takeaways

• Woolworths' recyclable shopping trolleys, introduced in 2020, have been criticised by a cleaning specialist for being disposable and potentially harmful to the environment.
• Ocean Crusaders, a cleaning team from Brisbane, regularly finds and retrieves dumped trolleys from waterways, stating that plastic trolleys cannot always be recycled like traditional metal ones.
• Ian Thomson of Ocean Crusaders claimed the cost of replacing lost or damaged trolleys is passed on to consumers through grocery prices, with each plastic trolley costing around $300 to replace.
• Woolworths asserted that collected broken trolleys are returned to the manufacturer to be melted down and remoulded, and highlighted its investment in collection services to mitigate the impact of abandoned trolleys in the community.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed an increase in abandoned trolleys in your local area? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

Why not consider bolsters surrounding the shopping complex so that the trolleys cannot be removed from the area. Perhaps the trolley smugglers can be caught on camera, after all it’s a $300 item. Photo shamed or given a fine. Just my thoughts.

 

[LeahI]

Mostly people who take them out of the carpark don't have a vehicle themselves and don't want to pay for a taxi.
I've seen people continue to push the locked trolley as if it's just a little inconvenience.
The token option is ok, but you need to have a coin in pocket (tricky when we become cashless) or already have purchased a token.

 

[Mark1]

Woolworths in my area DOES have trolleys where you pay either $1, or $2 or use one of their branded tokens (yes SDC they DO have them!) which you get back when you return the trolley. Some people are just too lazy to do that, so it is not Woolies' fault but those who don't return them.

Yes, it is really just theft by the customer. Why not fine them, not the retailer.

 

[gordon1940]

In the ‘90s a Coles supermarket in Victoria had trollies that the wheels would lock up if they were went past the car park boundary. Dont know how it worked. Should bring that back in or council have some one go around picking them up then charge the supermarket for returning them . Supermarkets would soon do something then.

Bring THAT system back or improve it.

 

[Veggiepatch]

It is OK to have a coin deposit for Trolleys but, what about a cashless society approaching around the corner?

Great point!!!

Swipe with your credit card....oh wait!

What's the cost of a card reader installed on a shopping trolley.

Due to the cashless society looming, the cost of one litre of milk is expected to rise to $6 to $8 by 2026. - Nostraveggus Janaury 2024

 

[Veggiepatch]

Why not consider bolsters surrounding the shopping complex so that the trolleys cannot be removed from the area. Perhaps the trolley smugglers can be caught on camera, after all it’s a $300 item. Photo shamed or given a fine. Just my thoughts.

But think of paramedics unable to access the shopping centre with THEIR trolleys in the event of a medical emergency?

Sorry but they are bollards....

 

[MariaG]

I have to say, it is no so difficult to point the finger when shopping trolleys end up in stormwater drains and other public domains. It's a convenience for people to use these trolleys, but not a sacred right.
I am one of the goodie two shoes who always, if physically able, takes her trolley back to a bay. My problem lies in the vast distance in some places from car park spots, particularly mobility sections, to a bay. If you are like me and prefer to take the trolley back, can the walk back to the car be a prohibitive factor. I have been forced on some occasions to put my trolley somewhere other than a marked bay, simply because I cannot manage the walk back.
I like the idea of the wheels locking if the trolley goes beyond a set boundary. Only problem I see with this is that the idiots who take them for joyrides to drains and parks are probably young enough and strong enough to pick the thing up and carry it beyond the boundary.
No matter what we do, nothing will ever be 100% perfect if folk choose to do the wrong thing, regardless of how hard it is.

 

[Topher]

The Australian landscape is a treasure trove of natural beauty, but a worrying trend has been tarnishing its charm.

Ian Thomson, a Cleaning Specialist from environmental advocacy group Ocean Crusaders, has been on a mission to halt the dumping of supermarket trolleys in our parks and waterways—a problem that's costing Aussie shoppers thousands of dollars annually.

However, the issue has been exacerbated by Woolworths' promise for 'a greener future' and their introduction of so-called environmentally friendly, recyclable trolleys.

Thomson and his Brisbane-based team say they retrieve an average of 300 trolleys annually from rivers and lakes across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

While traditional metal trolleys can often be returned and reused, the plastic ones from Woolworths—purportedly made from 74 plastic milk bottles—often can't be.

View attachment 39869

Abandoned plastic trolleys are often found in rivers around Australia. Image source: Ocean Crusaders.

'Don't be fooled,' Ocean Crusaders wrote on their social media page.

'There are no certificates to prove their claims of 74 milk bottles in every trolley, but do the maths.'

The plastic trolleys are more prone to breakage, according to Thomson.

'They're really light, a lot lighter than the metal ones, and I've seen plenty of them broken,' Thomson added.

'They're also getting stuck together [after we recover them], which also damages them.'

'You didn't have that with the metal ones.'

Each trolley costs roughly $300 to replace, a cost that Thomson said is often passed onto consumers through their grocery bills.

He also claimed that most stores 'don't do much' to recover lost trolleys or at least broken parts.

Thomson explained that if a plastic trolley is damaged, Woolworths will simply 'undo the bolts and put a new crate on top of [the metal base] and then just throw the other trolley away'.

This, he claimed, is a cheaper method for the supermarket giant, but it's not environmentally friendly.

'If they are going to lose trolleys, they shouldn't be a disposable item, it's not really good for the environment.'

In a video posted on the Ocean Crusader's Facebook page, Thomson called out Woolworths over its 'claim to be pushing for a greener future.'

He showed a few dozen trolleys—both broken and intact—which his team recently retrieved from the Cornmeal Creek in Maroochydore.

Thomson was told by the manager at the local Woolies store that they're missing about 150 trolleys.

'That's $45,000 consumers are paying in their groceries at just one store,' he claimed.

Video source: Facebook / Ocean Crusaders.​

Thomson believes that a simple solution to the problem would be to introduce a token or coin system like what ALDI has in place, which would 'reduce the amount of trolleys in the environment'.

'They could make those tokens out of recycled plastic and even have their branding on it, but they won't because they're worried about backlash,' he said.

Woolworths previously said that their shopping trolleys are made of recycled plastic and are more environmentally friendly.

When asked about Thomson's claims, including why Woolworths switched to plastic trolleys and if they'd consider using tokens, the supermarket declined to answer directly.

However, a spokesperson did confirm that broken baskets returned to them are 'sent back to where the trolleys are manufactured, melted back down and then remoulded into a brand new trolley'.

Regarding trolley dumping in general, a Woolies spokesperson said that the 'vast majority [of people] do the right thing in returning them'.

'We understand abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance, and that's why we invest millions in collection services to help mitigate their impact in the community,' a spokesperson said.

'We work closely with dedicated collection contractors who respond quickly to reports of abandoned trolleys to return them to our stores.'

'They also conduct regular sweeps for abandoned trolleys in the streets surrounding our stores.'

It is understood that the supermarket giant is partnered with Trolley Tracker—a service that allows members of the public to report abandoned trolleys.

Key Takeaways

• Woolworths' recyclable shopping trolleys, introduced in 2020, have been criticised by a cleaning specialist for being disposable and potentially harmful to the environment.
• Ocean Crusaders, a cleaning team from Brisbane, regularly finds and retrieves dumped trolleys from waterways, stating that plastic trolleys cannot always be recycled like traditional metal ones.
• Ian Thomson of Ocean Crusaders claimed the cost of replacing lost or damaged trolleys is passed on to consumers through grocery prices, with each plastic trolley costing around $300 to replace.
• Woolworths asserted that collected broken trolleys are returned to the manufacturer to be melted down and remoulded, and highlighted its investment in collection services to mitigate the impact of abandoned trolleys in the community.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed an increase in abandoned trolleys in your local area? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

 

[Topher]

A solution that is being trialled overseas is to have electronic brakes on trolleys (they use this system also to stop people leaving self-service areas without paying). Trying to leave the centre with a trolley activates the brakes, thereby preventing those who simply are about to push the trolley home (and abandon it) or take it to use for other purposes: teens racing each other in trolleys, people using them for wheelbarrows at home, those who simply use them to stack rubbish in - I have seem all these in real life or on videos.
Yes, brakes might sound expensive, but with trolleys being $300 each ...

 

[natalielocket]

The Australian landscape is a treasure trove of natural beauty, but a worrying trend has been tarnishing its charm.

Ian Thomson, a Cleaning Specialist from environmental advocacy group Ocean Crusaders, has been on a mission to halt the dumping of supermarket trolleys in our parks and waterways—a problem that's costing Aussie shoppers thousands of dollars annually.

However, the issue has been exacerbated by Woolworths' promise for 'a greener future' and their introduction of so-called environmentally friendly, recyclable trolleys.

Thomson and his Brisbane-based team say they retrieve an average of 300 trolleys annually from rivers and lakes across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

While traditional metal trolleys can often be returned and reused, the plastic ones from Woolworths—purportedly made from 74 plastic milk bottles—often can't be.

View attachment 39869

Abandoned plastic trolleys are often found in rivers around Australia. Image source: Ocean Crusaders.

'Don't be fooled,' Ocean Crusaders wrote on their social media page.

'There are no certificates to prove their claims of 74 milk bottles in every trolley, but do the maths.'

The plastic trolleys are more prone to breakage, according to Thomson.

'They're really light, a lot lighter than the metal ones, and I've seen plenty of them broken,' Thomson added.

'They're also getting stuck together [after we recover them], which also damages them.'

'You didn't have that with the metal ones.'

Each trolley costs roughly $300 to replace, a cost that Thomson said is often passed onto consumers through their grocery bills.

He also claimed that most stores 'don't do much' to recover lost trolleys or at least broken parts.

Thomson explained that if a plastic trolley is damaged, Woolworths will simply 'undo the bolts and put a new crate on top of [the metal base] and then just throw the other trolley away'.

This, he claimed, is a cheaper method for the supermarket giant, but it's not environmentally friendly.

'If they are going to lose trolleys, they shouldn't be a disposable item, it's not really good for the environment.'

In a video posted on the Ocean Crusader's Facebook page, Thomson called out Woolworths over its 'claim to be pushing for a greener future.'

He showed a few dozen trolleys—both broken and intact—which his team recently retrieved from the Cornmeal Creek in Maroochydore.

Thomson was told by the manager at the local Woolies store that they're missing about 150 trolleys.

'That's $45,000 consumers are paying in their groceries at just one store,' he claimed.

Video source: Facebook / Ocean Crusaders.​

Thomson believes that a simple solution to the problem would be to introduce a token or coin system like what ALDI has in place, which would 'reduce the amount of trolleys in the environment'.

'They could make those tokens out of recycled plastic and even have their branding on it, but they won't because they're worried about backlash,' he said.

Woolworths previously said that their shopping trolleys are made of recycled plastic and are more environmentally friendly.

When asked about Thomson's claims, including why Woolworths switched to plastic trolleys and if they'd consider using tokens, the supermarket declined to answer directly.

However, a spokesperson did confirm that broken baskets returned to them are 'sent back to where the trolleys are manufactured, melted back down and then remoulded into a brand new trolley'.

Regarding trolley dumping in general, a Woolies spokesperson said that the 'vast majority [of people] do the right thing in returning them'.

'We understand abandoned trolleys can be a nuisance, and that's why we invest millions in collection services to help mitigate their impact in the community,' a spokesperson said.

'We work closely with dedicated collection contractors who respond quickly to reports of abandoned trolleys to return them to our stores.'

'They also conduct regular sweeps for abandoned trolleys in the streets surrounding our stores.'

It is understood that the supermarket giant is partnered with Trolley Tracker—a service that allows members of the public to report abandoned trolleys.

Key Takeaways

• Woolworths' recyclable shopping trolleys, introduced in 2020, have been criticised by a cleaning specialist for being disposable and potentially harmful to the environment.
• Ocean Crusaders, a cleaning team from Brisbane, regularly finds and retrieves dumped trolleys from waterways, stating that plastic trolleys cannot always be recycled like traditional metal ones.
• Ian Thomson of Ocean Crusaders claimed the cost of replacing lost or damaged trolleys is passed on to consumers through grocery prices, with each plastic trolley costing around $300 to replace.
• Woolworths asserted that collected broken trolleys are returned to the manufacturer to be melted down and remoulded, and highlighted its investment in collection services to mitigate the impact of abandoned trolleys in the community.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you noticed an increase in abandoned trolleys in your local area? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

Bring in charging to use the trolleys. one of the supermarkets in Armidale, NSW, used to charge for trolleys and if you were there after school was out the kids would ask to take back your trolley, they got the 20c (I think thats all it was, 30 odd years ago) Aldi charge for trolleys or you can buy a token. All supermarkets should use it. Not only would it stop people taking them and dumping them, but also stop people leaving them in parking spaces or just in the middle of the road in supermarket car parks. Easy solution

 

[midgemills]

In the ‘90s a Coles supermarket in Victoria had trollies that the wheels would lock up if they were went past the car park boundary. Dont know how it worked. Should bring that back in or council have some one go around picking them up then charge the supermarket for returning them . Supermarkets would soon do something then.

Coles at Forster NSW has this system.

 

[midgemills]

They still have in certain supermarkets, generally where the lower socioeconomic 'customers' are potentially their customer base.

I live in Forster which I would not agree is a lower socioeconomic area. Our Coles uses this system.

 

[Annna]

Bring in charging to use the trolleys. one of the supermarkets in Armidale, NSW, used to charge for trolleys and if you were there after school was out the kids would ask to take back your trolley, they got the 20c (I think thats all it was, 30 odd years ago) Aldi charge for trolleys or you can buy a token. All supermarkets should use it. Not only would it stop people taking them and dumping them, but also stop people leaving them in parking spaces or just in the middle of the road in supermarket car parks. Easy solution

The coin/token system was used by Woolies and our local IGA about 10 years ago.

The stores unlocked their trolleys and got rid of the coin slots after a backlash from customers (reduction in customer numbers).

Pity, people seem not to resent this at ALDI (maybe because it was imposed from the stores' opening and lower prices might also be a factor).