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Woolworths shuts down radical new plan for meat and fish products


Woolworths has shut down claims they’re about to let shoppers bring in their own Tupperware containers when they buy meat and fish as part of their war on plastic waste.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Woolies is now considering following in the footsteps of Morrisons Supermarkets in the UK, where shoppers have the option of using their own containers for raw meat and fish.

However, a Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo7 News there were simply too many risks associated with shoppers providing their own containers.

“This is not something we offer due to food safety and operational reasons,” the spokesperson said.

Shoppers will still not be allowed to bring in their own containers, Woolworths says. Source: Getty
Shoppers will still not be allowed to bring in their own containers, Woolworths says. Source: Getty

“We’re always looking for new ways to help customers reduce plastic consumption right across our stores.”

There were further road blocks to the plan, with concerns over whether the scales would be able to counter for different sized containers.

There has been mixed reaction since Woolies pulled their single-use plastic bags from all supermarkets on June 20, with some shoppers labelling the move as a “PR stunt” and “cash grab”.

“This is nothing more than a cash grab,” one of many frustrated social media users wrote this week, along with others who accused the supermarket giant of still using too much plastic in other areas.

How much does it cost Woolworths for the plastic bags you are charging 15 cents for? Making a profit on bags now when we got the old ones for free not happy Jan

Posted by David John on Thursday, June 21, 2018

Woolworths said personal containers wouldn’t be offered soon due to food safety reasons. Source: AAP
Woolworths said personal containers wouldn’t be offered soon due to food safety reasons. Source: AAP

But amongst the litany of criticism, some shoppers backed in the message of “don’t bag the retail staff”.

“They have been advertising for months and months about this. Harden up and make a change to help the planet you have to live on,” one shopper wrote.

“Get with the times, buy a 99c bag, remember to take it with you and be done with it,” another added.

Coles will follow suit and remove single-use plastic bags on June 30 and it’s understood they also have no intentions of introducing a BYO container policy.