Coles’ big change in fruit and veg aisle

Coles is selling mandarins in a readily recyclable paper bag, saving 11 tonnes of plastic this year.

Planet Ark says it is better to buy loose and reuse your own bag, but getting rid of the plastic net mandarin bags is a good step.

Coles expects to sell more than one million bags of mandarins this season, which is April to October.

The loose afourer variety, which grow in regions all around Australia, are selling at the moment. Different types of Coles’ own-brand mandarins in bags are also in stock.

Traditionally Australian supermarkets sell mandarins in the orange net bags, which are made of plastic.

Coles fresh produce general manager Charlotte Gilbert said the change was to reduce waste.

The supermarket sells bags of Coles mini pack mandarins, Coles I’m perfect mandarins and Coles unique selection mandarins at the moment: Only the unique selections will come in the paper bag.

The bag can go straight into domestic recycling bins.

The supermarket predicts 11,700kg of plastic – the weight of four Toyota LandCruisers – will be avoided each year with the bag change.

Planet Ark chief executive Rebecca Gilling said it was a positive Coles had designed a bag that could be recycled.

“While we support buying loose and reusing bags where possible, we commend Coles for its work to close the recycling loop and provide customers with products that can be easily recycled,” she said.

West Australian stores will not have the recyclable bags.