The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) examined 80 test orders from Woolworths and Coles nationwide. It found that 95 per cent of Coles deliveries contained at least one plastic produce bag, compared with 8 per cent for Woolworths. Almost three-quarters of items in Coles orders were individually bagged, against 0.3 per cent for Woolworths.
Emily Hamilton, a Melbourne mother, said she usually avoids buying from Coles because of its packaging. “Usually, Woolworths is OK, but Coles on the other hand are just so bad – everything comes in plastic bags,” she said. Ms Hamilton said she had once received a cabbage wrapped in plastic and also in a plastic bag.
Coles said it had eliminated more than 700 million pieces of conventional plastic from its own-brand range since 2021 and remained committed to reducing unnecessary plastic. A spokesperson said packaging played a crucial role in protecting fresh produce, maintaining food safety and reducing food waste.
Woolworths said it had listened to customer concerns about single-use plastic and had introduced sustainability initiatives. This year, the supermarket disclosed its “plastic intensity score” for the first time, 10 grams per unit sold for its home-brand products, and said it would update the figure annually. The AMCS said other supermarkets had “fragmented” reporting on plastic use.
The report praised Coles for its stance against plastic toy giveaways, in place since 2021. Woolworths revived its Ooshies promotion this year, though it said the toys were now made from 97 per cent recycled plastic and came in FSC-certified paper. Tara Jones, program manager at AMCS, said: “We really urge Woolworths to follow its lead – we know that the best way to end plastic pollution is to use less plastic.”
Celeste Hankins, a Sydney mother expecting her third child, said she initially rejected the Ooshies giveaways but relented after her children came home from school saying that all the kids were playing with them. She said she was surprised that 12-year-olds were still interested. Another shopper, Emily Hamilton, said she usually declined Ooshies but had sometimes received them when ordering nappies.
Woolworths, Coles and Aldi were criticised for charging more for loose produce than packaged versions. Ms Jones said shoppers should not be penalised financially for trying to avoid plastic packaging, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.
Aldi said its latest report showed that by the end of 2025, nearly 92 per cent of its exclusive brand packaging was recyclable or compostable. Metcash said it held an advanced performance rating from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation.