Woolworths sticks with plastic bag ban, despite Coles reversal

Greenpeace say Coles decision to continue providing free reusable plastic bags is irresponsible

Woolworths says there will be no change to its free plastic bag ban and that most customers have embraced the change, despite Coles reversing its own ban on Wednesday.

Coles banned single-use plastic bags on 1 July and told customers they would have to pay 15c for thicker, reusable bags. But then it began handing out the thicker bags for free in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia as it gave customers time to adjust.

It was meant to stop providing its reusable Better Bags for free on 1 August but has now gone back on that decision and appears set to provide them indefinitely. The thinner, single-use bags at Coles remain unavailable.