Woolworths shopper complains about new reusable bags: 'Ripping after one use'

A disgruntled Woolworths consumer has used social media to draw attention to a quality issue with the supermarket chain's new reusable shopping bags. The woman criticized Woolworths in a 24-second clip shared on TikTok, claiming the retailer's new Bag for Good totes aren't truly very durable and sustainable. 

Source: OverSixty

"Australian supermarket Woolworths, you've replaced your green bags with different green bags. And just so you know, they're ripping after one use," the woman said. "I've had to throw two out already. And there wasn't even that much in them."

“So I don't know. Maybe you could improve the supplier, please, because this is actually really impractical. And my shopping went everywhere,” she commented further.

A promise of “Free exchange” from Woolworths

Since Woolworths’ green reusable bags were released in 2018, they have been a staple among consumers. Additionally, due to a promise that “If it gets damaged, we'll replace it for free" printed on them, these green reusable bags had become more and more popular. 

However, confusion among customers has arisen on whether the new reusable bags will be changed without charge, as some viewers questioned whether this promise will still be kept. One customer vented on Woolworths' Facebook page over the store's failure to replace his torn bag with a new one in a separate social media post.

"Apparently it's no longer a 'bag for good' as you have marketed because you have introduced a new style of bag into the store. The staff at Hollywood Plaza refused to change it as printed on your bag because they are now a different style," the Adelaide man said in the post, which was accompanied by a snap of his damaged green grocery tote. "Surely this is false advertising at its finest?"

Woolworths responds

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, Woolworths, which announced last month that it was getting rid of the 99-cent bags in favor of a newer, more durable model, said that the company is "gradually running down stock" of its green Bag for Good totes and will be "replacing it with a sturdy new-look 99-cent bag."

"Our new reusable 99-cent bag is made from 70 per cent recycled material and has already started to roll out across stores," a Woolworths spokesperson said. "Our paper shopping bags and other bag options continue to be available to customers as well."

"We've seen a significant shift in shopping habits in recent years with 80 percent of our customers now bringing their own bags to shop," the spokesperson added.
Source: TikTok/Facebook

With South Australia and the Northern Territory to follow in the upcoming weeks, the supermarket behemoth has begun introducing the new totes—made from at least 70% recycled content—to stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia.

The replace-for-free offer on any of the older Bag for Good totes with another bag of similar value will still be honored by Woolworths. Although the new 99 bag does not come with a replace-for-free warranty, it is claimed to be more robust than the earlier Bag for Good bags.

TLPPACKAGING FOR SHOPPING BAGS