.png)
1 year ago
63
Coles customers have been left outraged by a brand new price hike on a number of everyday products sold at the supermarket giant.
Victorian customers spotted a sign stating that prices would be increasing for a number of products due to the state government's new Container Deposit Scheme.
The scheme mirrors other states' return-and-earn schemes that give customers a small refund for recycling certain products at a 'refund point'.
Victorians can receive 10 cents for every item they recycle with products such as bottles, cans and cartons accepted.
The increase was due to the state's new Container Deposit Scheme that has increased the cost of creating products but refunds customers 10 cents for every eligible item recycled (pictured)
'This has resulted in price increases coming into effect on a number of bottle, can and carton products we stock,' the sign at Coles read.
'CDS Vic rewards Victorians with a 10-cent refund for every eligible bottle, can and carton they return to a refund point,' the sign continued.
Customers were furious arguing the prices had increased to match the same amount of money they would have gained if they recycled the packaging at the refund point.
An image of the sign notifying customers of the price increase was posted by an unhappy shopper to Reddit with the caption: 'Not happy Jan'.
The post garnered an angry response from hundreds of Aussies frustrated with yet another price increase amid growing inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
'Government gives 10c back, stores increase price by more than 10c. They will literally monetise EVERY scenario available,' one user wrote.
'It undoes the benefit to the customer unless they customer jumps through extra hurdles to recoup the cost.'
'I f***ing beg your pardon this gets rid of the reason to do it,' a second wrote.
Social media users from other states said a similar price increase occurred when their schemes were introduced.
'I get the point of it but it's such a stupid scheme, I already pay council to take my recycling and now I'm paying extra on every single recycle-able product,' a user from NSW wrote.
'They did this when they brought in the scheme in QLD too. Get back 10 cents, price went up by 15 cents,' a Queenslander commented.
Victorian customers of supermarket giant, Coles, have been left furious after yet another price hike on items that are regularly in Aussies' weekly shop (stock image)
The scheme was introduced on November 1, making Victoria the latest state to roll out a return-and-earn style program.
South Australia was the first to introduce the scheme in 1977 followed by NSW in 2017, Queensland in 2018 and Western Australian in 2020, with Tasmania expected to join the club in 2024.
VicReturn estimated in July that the scheme would increase the cost of creating aluminium cans by 11.05 cents each, 11.40 cents for glass and 11.50 cents for liquid packaging boards used in milk containers.
About two million containers were handed in within 24 hours on November 6, leading to numerous drop off points being filled to the brim and taped shut.
A Coles spokesperson said the price hike helps cover the 10c container deposit included in the scheme.
'As a result of this recycling initiative customers may notice a slight increase on beverages eligible to participate in the Container Deposit Scheme,' the spokesperson said.
'This additional cost covers the 10c container deposit that customers can redeem back, and contributes to the running and administration of the scheme.'
The spokesperson added that 47 reverse vending machines are being implemented at stores across the state for customers to get a refund on eligible items.
English (US)