Big change coming to Coles

Coles will stop selling soft-plastic shopping bags in stores across Australia.

The major supermarket produces 230 million plastic bags every year.

It comes after lightweight plastic bags along with a range of single-use plastic products were banned in multiple states last year.

Coles charges 15c for the bags made out of 80 per cent recycled materials but has committed to phasing them out entirely in-store and online by the end of June.

Paper bags will be used for home delivery orders from next week.

The decision signifies a major step forward in the supermarket giant’s strides towards meeting its sustainability commitments.

Shoppers are urged to bring their own reusable bag to the supermarket but will not be left in the lurch if they forget.

“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 per cent recycled paper bags that can be recycled kerbside as well as other reusable options,” Coles Group chief operations and sustainability officer Matt Swindells said.

The recycled paper bags will be available for purchase for 25c and can hold up to 6kg of goods.

When Coles removed its thinner, single-use plastic bags in 2018, the supermarket cut down on about 14,000 tonnes of plastic every year.

A range of reusable tote bags will also be available from $1 each or $2.50 for a chiller bag.