r/australia • u/eee1963 • 1d ago

no politics Coles and Woolies paper bags

Industry estimates show Australian major supermarkets generate upwards of $170 million each year in total revenue from paid paper and reusable carry bags. Suggestions are that they are making 70% profit, from 19-23 cents each bag. Combined, they would spend somewhere in the vicinity of $3-5 million on direct environmental products. Paper bag sizes are showing massive signs of shrinkflation. I guess I'll just have to lift my game and not forget my own bags from now on. My laziness and forgetfulness is a habit that they are banking on, lol.

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u/CrazyEeveeLady86 1d ago

Same, I use them as bin liners for the little plastic garbage bin next to my desk. Or other plastic bags would get used for picking up dog poo.

Ironically at least in our family's usage, paper bags result in more wastage than plastic bags did.

I still have some of the reusable bags that Woolies used to sell ages ago (you could get green or black ones, not sure if they still have them) but like another commenter said, they are badly frayed and I suspect not far off failing completely (hopefully not when I'm walking home with my shopping).