Woolworths swap of plastic for paper shopping bags annoys customers
Woolworths is facing backlash from customers over the paper shopping bags that have replaced plastic bags across Australia.
Furious shoppers have taken to social media about how flimsy the new paper bags are, with many complaining that they break easily even while still in the supermarket trolley or right after being wrapped.
Miss the bags already, paper bag broke on the way to the car. Thank you,” one person posted on the Woolworths Facebook page.
Another posted a photo of a bag that had split open and the contents spilled out.
“Hello Woolworths, just letting you know one of your paper bags is not happy with the current situation and is trying to escape…” the customer wrote.
Furious Woolworths customers complain on social media that the paper shopping bags, which are replacing plastic bags, break easily
A number of commentators complained that the paper bags cost 25c each, while the plastic bags they replace cost only 15c.
The cost of the paper bags went up from 20c to 25c in February, which Woolworths said reflected the cost of the materials.
“Woolworths paper bags are such a mess,” one Twitter user posted alongside a photo of a bag with a broken handle.
“And they have the chutzpah to charge 25 cents for it. They will make millions and claim to save the planet.”
“What do you think of the ‘FABULOUS’ brown paper Check Bags for which they have the nerve to charge twenty five cents each!!!” asked a post on the Woolworths Facebook page.
“If you get back to your car without Tearing The Bloody Things, you’re doing great!!! As for REUSE?? Do not waste time !! DO I HAVE SUPPORT??’
One customer was so enraged by the price increase that he put a long spray on the supermarket and accused the cashiers of only half wrapping them.
‘This great paper bag not only fits fewer products, but you can also charge 25 cents for it. So the staff only fills halfway and then gives you more useless paper bags,” the post read.
Woolworths customers say that while the paper bags cost more than the old plastic bags, they are less sturdy and durable
‘Did you do the math?
“I mean I know you did the math for profitability (a company making over $900 million dollars in profit in 6 months must have done the math) but I mean for the environment?
“The cost to recycle, to ship these paper bags all the way from Vietnam must be very profitable for you, but it must cost the environment…
“Of course you did your market research and came to the conclusion that this is what people want…if that’s the case…put the 15 cent plastic bag next to the 25 cent paper bag and let us judge! !!’
The supermarket giant has previously confirmed that the paper bags come from suppliers in China and Vietnam, as there was no manufacturer in Australia that could meet the required scale of production, except in South Australia.
“We have explored options to source paper bags from Australia and continue to work with local manufacturers to find a solution,” a spokesman said.
One person who used Woolworths home delivery claimed he was charged $2 for paper bags
One person who used Woolworths home delivery said they had to pay $2 for paper bags.
The supermarket replied that they would look into this, but generally home delivery is charged a flat fee based on the number of paper bags used.
Another person pointed out that while the old plastic bags are said to be 80 percent recycled material, the paper replacements state that they are only 70 percent recycled material, which calls into question the environmental rationale for the swap.
Woolworths said they have thoroughly tested the sturdiness of their paper bags, which have been in use since 2020.
They said one of the tests performed is “equivalent to walking 2 km with 6 liters of cold milk.”
“Our paper bags have been around for a while and are available for those who forget to bring their own,” said a Woolworths spokesperson.
“They have been tested to support up to 6kg, but we are taking feedback from our customers as we continue to adapt our testing processes.
“Plus, they can be easily recycled at home in roadside bins, unlike plastic bags.”
The chain said its ultimate goal was to sell fewer bags.
“We know that eight out of ten customers already bring their own reusable bag when they shop, and we encourage them to continue to do so,” the spokesperson said.