Coles has officially phased out single-use plastic bags in the fresh produce section

WA has joined South Australia as the two states that have phased out single-use plastic bags.

Coles’ removal of this shopping bag is in line with WA’s plastic ban, which comes into effect on September 1.

Although Coles will be removing single-use plastic bags, shoppers will still be able to find new compostable fresh produce bags.

The new fresh produce bags are made from compostable materials and will be available in the retailer’s 101 WA stores, encouraging shoppers to compost at home, according to Coles Group Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells.

“Our customers will now be able to pack their fresh fruit and veg in certified compostable bags that can either be put it in their council bin for those in participating local Government Areas or added to home compost where it will break down naturally,” he said.

“We know our customers want to see less plastic in our stores, and this latest change will see the removal of 36 million conventional plastic produce bags from circulation in Western Australia in just one year.”

Coles partner Planet Ark’s Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Gilling congratulated Coles on providing certified compostable bags in the fresh produce sections but still encouraged shoppers to bring reusable bags.

“Compostable bags help families recycle food waste by providing them with an easy and convenient way to collect food scraps at home that otherwise could have ended up in landfill,” she said.

“While this is definitely a step in the right direction, our advice to customers purchasing loose fruit and vegetables is to place items directly into their trolley or basket wherever possible, particularly products with their own ‘natural packaging’ such as bananas and avocados.”

Customers can also find 100% recycled paper bags for purchase, as well as reusable bags at the checkout.