Coles to remove single-use plastic produce bags from stores in new trial

Coles is set to trial removing single-use plastic fresh produce bags from its ACT stores to encourage shoppers to bring reusable options to transport their fruit and veggies.

The plastic fresh produce bags, also known as barrier bags, will be removed from all of Coles' 12 supermarkets across the ACT from September 14.

Coles has claimed it will be the first major Australian supermarket to trial removing the single-use plastic produce bags, but Woolworths has already permanently removed all plastic fresh produce bags from its SA stores.

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Back in April, Woolworths replaced all the single-use plastic fresh produce bags in its 67 SA stores with compostable bags.

In preparation for the trial in ACT, Coles will give a free 3-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags, which are made with 90 per cent recycled materials, to ACT customers who spend spend $5 on fruit and veggies between August 31 and September 13.

Removing the single-use produce bags from stores is expected to reduce about 11 tonnes of plastic each year, according to Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells.

"We are always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics packaging," he said.

Swindells said Coles would use the trial to consider potentially rolling the move into stores across the country.

Customers will be be able to buy reusable mesh fresh produce bags at supermarkets if they do not bring their own bags for fresh produce.

The supermarket giant also recently introduced fresh produce bags made with 50% recycled plastic into stores the country.

The bags can be returned to REDcycle bins at any Coles supermarket to be recycled.

Coles has advised that the single-use plastic bags will continue to be used in delis in ACT stores during the trials and in Coles Online orders.

Paper bags will also still be available in the fresh produce section for customers to pack their mushrooms.