June 10, 2018: Activists across the country have stickered the worst examples of unnecessary packaging in Coles and Woolworths stores after the companies said they would try to take action to reduce plastics, particularly wrapping on fresh produce.More than 100 activists entered supermarkets in Victoria, NSW, South Australia, and Western Australia to place stickers on the fresh produce items they would most like to see without plastic packaging.
“Woolworths and Coles are to be applauded for their recent announcements on reducing plastics,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner Zoe Deans said.
“It’s a great step in the right direction, but we are going to make sure they follow through on their words to reduce plastic pollution with real action.
“Today more than 100 Greenpeace activists have visited stores across the country to sticker and document plastic wrapping on bananas, apples, oranges, sweet potatoes, and a range of other items that have been infuriating the Australian public for so long.”
Deans said activists are also carrying letters to hand to supermarket staff and managers calling on Woolworths and Coles to make a solid commitment to ending plastic packaging on fresh produce.
“A lot of the items of fresh produce are sold loose as well as in plastic wrapping – which shows how unnecessary it really is,” she said.
“And this plastic is not just wasteful – it is dangerous – taking centuries to break down and often ending up in our oceans, where it harms marine life and seabirds.
“Plastic in our environment can also break up into microplastics which are eaten by fish and then end up in our own food chain.”
For interviews contact:
Simon Black
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner
0418 219 086 / [email protected]
