'We don't want this': Woolworths under fire over vegetable packing

"Woolworths, we, your customers, don't want this," writes Leanne Stokan in a viral post.
"Woolworths, we, your customers, don't want this," writes Leanne Stokan in a viral post. Photo: Facebook/Woolworths

Following the recent screening of the ABC's three-part series, War on Waste with Craig Reucassel, it's clear that waste-saving tips are at the forefront of Aussie minds.

It was hard not to be shocked by revelations that millions of bananas are tossed by Coles and Woolworths every day due to "bizarre cosmetic requirements" or to be horrified by the amount of takeaway coffee cups we churn through each year (1 billion!).

And Australians aren't happy about the amount of packaging being used for fruit and vegetables, either.

When Leanne Stokan took to Woolworths' Facebook page last week to complain about the plastic trays and wrapping used for sweet potatoes, thousands of other angry customers agreed.

"Woolworths, we, your customers, don't want this," she wrote. "Our planet doesn't need it. Sweet potatoes can go from your shelf to my trolley to my kitchen without ever needing to touch a plastic bag, let alone a plastic tray as well!!!"

Her words have since been shared almost 11,000 times, and have garnered over 5,000 comments.

 
A Woolworths spokesperson addressed Ms Stokan's complaint.
"The packaging we use is designed to preserve the product throughout the supply chain and we make efforts to use our packaging as efficiently as possible. As such, many of our packaged produce lines are also available in loose format," they wrote. 
"When considering new recyclable packaging options, we need to ensure that it meets our existing food safety standards, product integrity requirements, and that it sustains the appropriate shelf life of our products to reduce food waste.
"We'll continue to work with our suppliers to actively pursue packaging alternatives that reduce the amount of packaging or increasing its recyclability where possible."
Their response, however, just didn't cut it for irate commenters on Ms Stokan's post.
"We have managed to eat fruit and veg that didn't come in plastic packaging for 100 years," writes Rosalind Fuller.
"Please don't tell us that we need it now. We don't, the planet doesn't and I'm sure you could even save yourselves some Woolworths dollars!"
"Woolworths, your customers have spoken. STOP DOING THIS NOW!! RIGHT NOW!!" adds Jenna Gray.
"Do you even think how our great Grandchildren's lives are going to be affected by this senseless waste? There is no logical reason to wrap them in plastic, let alone a PLASTIC TRAY AS WELL!!"
"Woolworths be a leader in the sustainability movement and you will reap the benefits!" writes Steph Karras.
"We want to stick by you so ditch the plastic! It can most definitely be done!"
And it's not just the potatoes consumers are concerned about. 
Over on twitter, one tweeter called out the absurdity of "apple tubes":
 
While Craig Reucassel highlighted the excessive plastic and polystyrene used for these bananas sold at another store.
 
It's clear what customers want.
Let's hope supermarkets start listening.