Coles shoppers are outraged by a brand new price hike on a number of everyday products sold at the supermarket giant.
Victorian shoppers saw a sign saying prices for a number of products would rise as a result of the state government’s new Container Deposit Scheme.
The scheme mirrors other states’ return-and-earn schemes, where customers receive a small compensation for recycling certain products at a ‘refund point’.
Victorians can receive 10 cents for each item they recycle, with products such as bottles, cans and boxes accepted.
The increase was thanks to the state’s new Container Deposit Scheme, which has increased the cost of making products but will refund customers 10 cents for each eligible recycled item (pictured)
“This has resulted in price increases coming into effect on a number of bottle, can and carton products we stock,” the sign at Coles said.
“CDS Vic is rewarding Victorians with a 10 cent refund for every eligible bottle, can and box they return to a refund point,” the sign continued.
Customers were furious, claiming prices had risen to the same amount they would have made if they had recycled the packaging at the refund point.
An image of the sign notifying customers of the price increase was posted to Reddit by a disgruntled customer with the caption: “Not happy Jan.”
The post sparked angry responses from hundreds of Australians frustrated by yet another price hike amid growing inflation and the cost of living crisis.
‘The government gives back 10 cents, shops increase prices by more than 10 cents. They will literally monetize ANY scenario available,” one user wrote.
“It negates the benefit to the customer unless the customer takes additional hurdles to recoup costs.”
“Excuse me if this takes away the reason to do it,” wrote a second.
Social media users from other states said a similar price hike took place when their schemes were introduced.
‘I understand, but it’s such a stupid plan. I already pay council to take my recycling and now I pay extra for each recyclable product,” one NSW user wrote.
‘They did that when they introduced the scheme in Queensland too. Get 10 cents back, price went up 15 cents,” one Queenslander commented.
Victorian customers of supermarket giant Coles are furious after yet another price hike on items regularly found in Aussies’ weekly shops (stock image)
The scheme was introduced on November 1, making Victoria the latest state to roll out a return-and-earn style program.
South Australia was the first to introduce the scheme in 1977, followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018 and Western Australia in 2020, with Tasmania expected to join the club in 2024.
VicReturn estimated in July that the plan would increase the cost of making aluminum cans by 11.05 cents each, 11.40 cents for glass and 11.50 cents for liquid packaging cardboard used in milk containers.
On November 6, approximately two million containers were returned within 24 hours, leaving countless delivery points filled to the brim and taped shut.
A Coles spokesperson said the price increase will help cover the 10c container deposit included in the scheme.
“As a result of this recycling initiative, customers may notice a slight increase in the number of beverages eligible to participate in the Container Deposit Scheme,” the spokesperson said.
“These additional costs cover the 10-cent container deposit that customers can refund, and contribute to the operation and administration of the program.”
The spokesperson added that 47 vending machines are being implemented in stores across the state so that customers can get a refund on eligible items.