South Australian customers are being encouraged to bring reusable containers to help them purchase their cold cuts, small goods, and other deli favourites at eight Coles supermarkets. Customers who bring in clean reusable containers with a resealable lid can ask deli Team Members to pack their items in their containers as part of a trial which aims to help shoppers reduce packaging waste. “As part of our Together to Zero Waste ambition, Coles is always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary packaging, while giving customers sustainable options to help them complete their shop.” General Manager Bakery, Deli, Seafood Andy Mossop commented “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, We will be looking closely at how our South Australian customers respond, and the feedback and insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to more stores in South Australia, or around Australia.”

Mossop said that the trial is optional and available to those interested in taking part, but customers may still have their deli items packed, wrapped, and scanned as usual. Mossop explained that The move comes after Coles’ announcement last week that single-use plastic fresh produce bags – also known as barrier bags – will be removed from all 12 ACT stores from 14 September. From 31 August until 13 September, ACT customers who spend $5 in store on fruit and veggies will receive a free 3-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags – made with 90% recycled materials – in preparation for single-use plastic bags being removed from stores.Mossop said that Coles is also making strides in its ambition to become Australia’s most sustainable supermarket by reducing unnecessary plastics in Own Brand products. Earlier this year, Coles removed plastic scoops from Coles Tropical Paradise and Coles Ultra Original and Sensitive laundry powders, saving three tonnes of plastic in a single year. The list of stores in South Australia included in the BYO deli container trial is: Firle, Unley, Bridgewater, Blackwood, St Peters, Burnside, Mount Barker and Murray Bridge.