In a move designed to reduce packaging waste, Australian supermarket group Coles has begun a bring your own containers trial in South Australia.
The bring-your-own deli container trial (BYO) comes after the company’s announcement that single-use plastic fresh produce bags will be banned from all 12 ACT stores beginning September.
Bringing containers is optional. Customers who don’t bring their own containers will still have their deli products wrapped, scanned and packaged like usual.
“Coles is always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary packaging while giving customers sustainable options to help them complete their shop,” says Andy Mossop, general manager for bakery, deli, and seafood, at Coles.
However, the new trial comes with terms and conditions. Customers must bring clean, intact containers with a resealable lid. Glass and ceramic materials are also not allowed.
The containers cannot be used for salads, prawns, bbq, hot food, and self-serve cheese.
“We are trialling bring-your-own containers at a handful of Coles supermarket delis in South Australia to understand how best to provide this option to customers while continuing to meet stringent food safety standards,” said Mossop.
The company said feedback and insights from the bring-your-own containers trial would be part of its consideration for rolling out the initiative to more stores nationwide.
Participating stores in the BYO deli container trial include Blackwood, Bridgewater, Firle, Unley, St Peters, Burnside, Mount Barker, and Murrey Bridge.
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