Big Aussie supermarkets are still failing to reduce plastic waste – new report

The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Boomerang Alliance have just released their third annual audit report on supermarket plastic use, and the findings are concerning.

Despite growing awareness, all four major supermarkets, Woolworths, Coles, ALDI and Metcash, are still falling short in reducing unnecessary packaging. The findings highlight the need for the supermarkets to pick up their game and for the federal and state governments to pass the mandatory packaging law, proposed by Boomerang.

Key Findings of the report show that:

• Plastic-free produce often costs more: Loose fresh fruit and vegetables were more expensive than pre-packaged items in 73% of cases. For example, loose oranges averaged $4.24/kg, compared with $2.49/kg pre-packaged.

• Online orders still overwrapped: Many online orders from Coles and Woolworths arrived in plastic, including single garlic bulbs individually bagged.

• Packaging contributes heavily to litter: Around 140,000 tonnes of plastic enter the Australian environment annually, with packaging making up 58% of litter collected by Clean Up Australia volunteers.

Read and share the full report and join us in signing an open letter calling for action.