Omar Khalid
Coles and Woolworths, two of Australia's largest supermarket chains, have been at the centre of the country's plastic bag debate. In 2017, both retailers announced they would stop providing free plastic bags to customers, instead offering thicker reusable bags for a small fee. This move has sparked varying responses, with some praising the environmental benefits and others criticising the retailers' motives. With Woolworths and Coles committing to phasing out single-use plastic bags, the discussion now revolves around the effectiveness of these initiatives and the potential for a nationwide ban.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of banning plastic bags | 2018 |
| Month of banning plastic bags | July |
| Date of Woolworths' announcement | April 2023 |
| Date of Coles' announcement | May 2023 |
| Woolworths' new policy | Customers can buy alternatives made from paper and fabric, or chill bags |
| Coles' new policy | Introduced compostable produce bags |
| Reason for banning plastic bags | To help the environment and reduce plastic pollution |
| Number of plastic bags given out by Woolworths per year | 3.2 billion |
| Number of plastic bags given out by Coles per year | 3.2 billion |
| Reduction in plastic bag consumption in Australia | 80% |
| States with plastic bag bans | Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory |
| States without plastic bag bans | New South Wales, Victoria |
| Supermarkets that never offered free plastic bags | Aldi |
| Cost of plastic bags at Aldi | 15 cents |
| Cost of plastic bags at Woolworths and Coles | 15 cents |
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What You'll Learn
Coles and Woolworths' plastic bag ban
In 2017, Woolworths and Coles, two of Australia's largest supermarket chains, announced that they would stop providing free plastic bags to customers across the country in 2018. Instead, they would sell thicker plastic bags for 15 cents each. This move was expected to save the retailers $170 million annually in reduced packaging costs while also generating revenue from the sale of thicker bags. However, it faced criticism from various quarters, including conservative commentators and consumers, with some even stealing shopping baskets or trolleys in protest.
In response to the backlash, Coles initially reversed its decision, offering free reusable plastic bags indefinitely in most states. However, this led to criticism from environmental groups like Greenpeace, causing Coles to reinstate the charge for bags from 29 August 2018 onwards. Woolworths also extended the timeframe for providing free bags until 8 July 2018. Despite the initial criticism, the National Retail Association estimated that by December 2018, plastic bag consumption had dropped by 80% nationwide due to the major supermarkets' withdrawal of free bags, resulting in 1.5 billion fewer bags in the environment.
In April 2023, Woolworths announced the phasing out of 15-cent reusable plastic bags, with Coles following suit in May. This move aligns with the supermarkets' commitment to phasing out single-use plastic bags and reducing plastic in their supply chains. While this is a positive step for the environment, it has also led to an increased use of bin liners, which have a greater environmental impact than plastic bags due to their poor breakdown in modern landfills.
The supermarkets now offer reusable alternatives, and customers are encouraged to bring their own bags when shopping. This shift towards reusable options has led to an 80% drop in plastic bag consumption in Australia, with Greenpeace calling for a complete ban on single-use plastic bags. Despite the progress, some critics argue that the Federal Government needs to take the lead and implement a nationwide ban on all plastic bags, along with a higher levy on plastic bags to encourage behavioural changes and fund new recycling systems.
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The environmental impact
Plastic bags have a significant environmental impact. They are difficult to recycle and take many years to decompose naturally, with estimates ranging from 20 to 1000 years. As a result, plastic bags accumulate in landfills and oceans, releasing toxic substances into the soil and water. They are often ingested by marine animals, such as sea turtles, birds, and fish, causing wildlife mortalities through strangulation, restricted mobility, and disrupted ingestion. Additionally, the manufacturing process for plastic bags requires significant fossil fuel use and fresh water consumption, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and water scarcity concerns.
In Australia, the decision by Coles and Woolworths to phase out single-use plastic bags and offer reusable alternatives is a positive step towards reducing plastic pollution. This move is expected to significantly decrease plastic bag consumption, with an estimated 80% drop nationwide, resulting in 1.5 billion fewer bags entering the environment. However, it is important to note that the thicker plastic bags offered by Coles and Woolworths may not be a more environmentally friendly alternative. While they can be reused, they are unlikely to last for more than 10 uses and may still contribute to plastic waste if not properly disposed of or recycled.
One unintended consequence of the plastic bag ban in South Australia was the increased use of bin liners, which have an even greater environmental impact than plastic bags due to their lack of biodegradability in modern landfills. This highlights the importance of promoting environmentally friendly alternatives, such as composting food scraps or using community newspapers as liners. Additionally, while paper bags and cotton bags may seem like viable options, they also have their drawbacks. Paper bags require a significant amount of energy and water for production and contribute to deforestation, while cotton bags demand high water consumption and the use of pesticides.
To further mitigate the environmental impact of plastic bags, a combination of legislative action and pricing strategies can be effective. Implementing a levy or tax on plastic bags can curb their short-term use, as seen in South Africa and Ireland. However, the effectiveness of such measures may wane over time as consumers adjust to the additional cost. Educating communities about the environmental and health consequences of plastic bags, as well as promoting proper waste disposal practices and recycling, are also crucial components of a comprehensive approach to reducing plastic bag consumption and mitigating their environmental impact.
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The response from Greenpeace
Greenpeace welcomed the move by Coles and Woolworths, two of Australia's largest supermarket chains, to ban single-use plastic bags. Greenpeace campaigner Zoe Dean stated that the decision was a "fantastic outcome" and a testament to "people power", reflecting the desire of Australians for leadership in reducing plastic pollution.
However, Greenpeace also criticised Coles when they reversed their decision and began offering free plastic bags indefinitely in most states due to customer backlash. This prompted Greenpeace to call the decision "irresponsible and disappointing", accusing Coles of perpetuating the problem of plastic waste.
Greenpeace's response to Woolworths' decision to phase out 15-cent reusable plastic bags in April 2023 is not explicitly mentioned in the sources. However, given their previous stance on the issue, it is likely that they would have supported this move as it aligns with their goal of reducing plastic pollution.
Greenpeace has consistently advocated for a reduction in plastic bag usage, recognising the harm they cause to marine life and the environment. They have emphasised the importance of reusable alternatives and supported calls for a ban on single-use plastic bags by environment ministers.
Overall, Greenpeace's response to the plastic bag ban by Coles and Woolworths has been positive, regarding it as a significant step towards a greener future for Australia and a reduction in plastic waste, particularly along the coastline.
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The impact on consumers
In 2017, Woolworths and Coles, Australia's two largest supermarket chains, announced their plan to stop providing free plastic bags to customers across the country in 2018. They would instead sell thicker plastic bags for 15 cents each. This move was expected to save the retailers $170 million annually in reduced packaging costs while creating a new revenue stream from the sale of thicker bags.
The impact of this decision on consumers was mixed. On the one hand, some consumers criticised the move, with several stealing shopping baskets or trolleys in protest and even reports of abuse or assault towards staff. The backlash was attributed to the retailers breaking the perceived "psychological contract" to provide free plastic bags. Additionally, consumers raised concerns about the continued overuse of plastic by retailers, the poor quality of the replacement bags, and allegations that the true motive was profiteering.
On the other hand, the decision by Woolworths and Coles to phase out single-use plastic bags had a positive impact on the environment. By December 2018, the National Retail Association estimated that plastic bag consumption had dropped by 80% nationwide, resulting in 1.5 billion fewer bags entering the environment. This reduction in plastic bag usage aligns with the intention of plastic bag bans implemented by various states and territories in Australia to reduce plastic pollution.
However, one unintended consequence of the plastic bag ban was the increased use of bin liners, which have a greater environmental impact than plastic bags due to their poor breakdown in modern landfills. Consumers who previously reused plastic bags as bin liners now had to seek alternative options. Suggested environmentally-friendly alternatives included composting food scraps and using free community newspapers or paper as bin liners.
While some consumers embraced the switch to reusable bags, others found it inconvenient or struggled with the additional cost of purchasing thicker bags. Ultimately, the impact of Woolworths' and Coles' decision to ban plastic bags had varying effects on consumers, with some criticising the move while others recognised the environmental benefits of reduced plastic bag consumption.
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The role of the Australian government
The Australian government has played a complex role in the country's transition away from single-use plastic bags. While there has been a push for a nationwide ban led by federal legislation, the responsibility has largely fallen to individual states and territories to implement their own policies.
In 2008, the Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced the Rudd government's goal of a nationwide plastic bag ban. However, this initiative was later abandoned due to concerns about the cost of living and disagreements among state and territory governments. As a result, states and territories were left to pursue their own approaches, with Tasmania's Coles Bay becoming the first location in Australia to ban plastic bags in 2003.
Over time, various states and territories implemented their own plastic bag bans, with South Australia leading the way with the introduction of the Zero Waste program in 2008. Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) also introduced their own bans, with New South Wales (NSW) being the last jurisdiction to implement a lightweight bag ban in 2022.
The Australian government, through organisations like the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), has been working towards facilitating the delivery of the National Packaging Targets by December 2025. Additionally, the Minderoo Foundation published its first Plastic Waste Makers Index in 2022, providing transparency into the production of single-use plastic and the financial institutions supporting it.
While the federal government has not implemented a nationwide ban, it has allowed states and territories to take the lead and develop their own approaches to reducing plastic pollution. This has resulted in a patchwork of policies across Australia, with varying levels of success and environmental impact.
In conclusion, while the Australian government has not directly banned plastic bags on a federal level, it has played a role in facilitating state-led initiatives, providing resources and support for a transition away from single-use plastics, and promoting awareness about the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Coles and Woolworths were not the first to ban plastic bags. In 2003, the Tasmanian town of Coles Bay was the first location in Australia to ban plastic bags. In 2018, Woolworths and Coles announced that they would stop providing free plastic bags to customers nationwide.
Coles and Woolworths offer reusable bags made of canvas or another non-plastic material. Customers can also purchase thicker plastic bags for 15 cents each. Woolworths also offers paper or fabric bags, as well as chill bags, while Coles offers compostable produce bags.
The National Retail Association estimated that by December 2018, plastic bag consumption in Australia had dropped by 80% as a result of the major supermarket withdrawal of free bags, leading to 1.5 billion fewer bags entering the environment.
