August 1, Coles supermarket announced that customers will be indefinitely free reusable plastic bags. (photo by the Herald Sun)
The controversy over the discontinuation of disposable plastic bags in supermarkets remains unresolved, the Herald Sun reported. On Aug. 1, Coles announced that it would provide free, reusable plastic bags for customers indefinitely, sparking resentment among environmentalists.
It is reported that since July 1 this year, Coles stores in New York, Victoria, Kunzhou and Western Australia will no longer provide customers with disposable plastic bags, the inconvenience caused by customer dissatisfaction. To help customers better adapt to the one-time plastic bag ban at the supermarket, the supermarket later announced that it would provide customers with reusable plastic bags free of charge, with a deadline of August 1.
But on Wednesday, Aug. 1, the supermarket said the measure would continue indefinitely, with customers still free of charge for reusable plastic bags without having to pay the original 15 cents.
The latest move by the Coles has sparked grievances among environmentalists.
August 1, Coles supermarket announced that customers will be indefinitely free reusable plastic bags. (photo by the Herald Sun)
Angel (Jeff Angel), head of Boomerang Alliance, an environmental group, called the latest Coles a "misplaced move." He pointed out that the so-called reusable plastic bags are almost as thin as those of the light bags that have been deactivated, and that such bags have limited lifespan, meaning that they may become rubbish.
A spokesman for the Coles supermarket confirmed the latest measures. She said customers reported that they needed more time to transition to their own shopping bags. Many customers bring their own shopping bags, but eventually they find they still lack them, so supermarkets offer reusable bags to help them do their shopping better. Supermarkets are pleased to see that more and more customers are bringing their own shopping bags and that their dependence on receiving reusable plastic bags at checkout is decreasing.
Customers who shop at Coles`s rival Woolworths supermarket are reported to pay 15 cents if they need to buy reusable bags.
