Coles defends 'confusing' change to paper bags
Shoppers across many states are noticing the change in their online shop.
After Coles announced it would be phasing out all plastic shopping bags in favour of paper ones last year shoppers have had mixed opinions on the change, with some frustrated by the easily tearable material while others have appreciated the eco-friendly change.
And it appears the supermarket has made another change, and are sticking by it despite several complaints.
Online shoppers have recently noticed their groceries have been delivered in paper bags which have "shrunk" in comparison to the original bags, meaning the same grocery shop has arrived in many more bags than it previously did.
One shopper from Norwood in Adelaide's inner east admitted she was "confused" by the recent change given the switch to paper bags was so recent, and because she felt the new change wasn't a positive one.
"My online order just arrived and its hard to tell by looking at this but these bags are like half the size of a regular bag. So instead of having five or six bags of groceries I have like 10," she said online.
"I'm all for using the paper bags, it's better for the environment but how is this better for the environment when I have double the amount of bags now to recycle, or throw away in the bin... I'm confused."
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Another shopper in Melbourne received her online grocery delivery in the shorter bags and expressed she would be unhappy if the supermarket is charging the same amount for each bag given the size change means she now requires more of them.
A shopper in Gosford, NSW shared a similar sentiment and called the change "another step in the wrong direction", slamming the smaller bags and saying it was becoming increasingly more difficult to simply carry groceries.
Other Coles shoppers online said they too had noticed the change, with some receiving up to 15 paper bags in one shop and admitted they were "dumbfounded" by it.
Coles defend the smaller paper bags
Yahoo News reached out to the supermarket who explained the change was made for logistical reasons.
"The new Coles Online version will fit more easily into packing crates, which will lead to less damage and improved reuse," a spokesperson said.
The supermarket confirmed there will be no change to the paper bags available in store.
The bags used in online deliveries will now be 13.5 centimetre shorter and are capable of carrying the same weight as the original paper bags. Online shoppers will continue to pay a flat rate of $1.50 for bags — regardless of how many are required for the shop.
Coles remain firm in their belief that shoppers should be encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to the shop or purchase tote bags from the supermarket.
"The most sustainable option is to bring your own reusable bag to the supermarket, but for those who forget, we will continue to sell 100% recycled paper bags that can be recycled kerbside, as well as other reusable options," Coles Group Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells said last May, when the switch to paper bags was first announced.
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