Australians say unnecessary supermarket plastic packaging influences how they shop
SIX, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Future Super
- 62% say major supermarkets, such as Coles and Woolworths, aren't doing enough to address plastic pollution, including majorities of Labor, Coalition, Greens, One Nation and independent voters.
- 87% say it’s important that they’re able to buy only the amount of fruit and veg they need.
- 74% believe loose groceries, such as fresh fruit and vegetables should cost less than packaged alternatives.
- 70% say major supermarkets should publicly report how much plastic they use each year.
- 92% could not name any companies leading on plastic responsibility.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 27 October 2026 | Sydney, Australia
Australians say unnecessary supermarket plastic packaging influences how they shop
MEDIA RELEASE: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: Most Australians want major supermarkets to take action to reduce their plastic use even though the federal government has put packaging reform on hold citing cost of living pressures.
New YouGov polling of 1,504 Australian voters reveals that a significant majority (62%) of Australians believe the two major supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, are not doing enough to address plastic pollution. Only 17% of those surveyed said Coles and Woolworths were adequately addressing plastic pollution, with 21% unsure. This sentiment is shared across the political spectrum, with majorities of Labor, Coalition, Greens, One Nation, and independent voters agreeing. Majorities across all age demographics indicated the supermarkets are not meeting expectations.
As part of the “Big business, stop fuelling plastic pollution” campaign, SIX, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), and Future Super are calling on Australia's major supermarkets to disclose their plastic use; something that Woolworths accomplished for the first time in August 2026 when it disclosed its plastic intensity score (the average mass of plastic packaging per item sold). Its closest competitor Coles has not yet matched this first step towards transparency. The campaign also urges supermarkets to set public reduction targets and report on progress each year. Major supermarkets control the packaging requirements of their own-brand products.
The polling found 72% of Australian voters believe at least half the packaging in major supermarkets is unnecessary, and a majority (52%) said they are likely to choose a product to avoid excess plastic packaging. Nearly four in 10 (38%) indicated they would be more inclined to shop at a major supermarket that set a plastic reduction target and reported its progress publicly. This figure rose to 45% among 18 to 24 year olds.
Shoppers see value and less plastic packaging as part of the same conversation. Eighty-seven per cent said being able to buy only the amount they need was important when buying items sold loose such as fruit and vegetables, including 55% deeming it very important. Yet shoppers are financially incentivised to purchase pre-packaged fruit and veg, with more than 70% of fresh produce items surveyed in the major supermarkets costing more when sold loose.
Catherine Lane, Coles shareholder and supermarket shopper said,
“In the face of inertia by the government, Coles has an outstanding opportunity to lead the nation in the reduction of plastic consumption. Clearly, it's an issue that shareholders like myself are passionate about, so I fail to understand why it isn't seen as a high priority necessitating urgent action.”
Future Super Chief Impact Officer Emily Flood said,
“Coles and other major supermarkets can lead on this issue without delay. They directly control the packaging used on their own-brand products, so action here is not only an opportunity to manage significant financial and governance risks, but also to strengthen the value of their brands and respond to customer expectations. Strong environmental and customer outcomes can go hand in hand with strong long-term financial outcomes for shareholders. Investors are keen to see the figures.”
AMCS’ Program manager (Plastics & Packaging) Tara Jones said,
“Australians overwhelmingly want to see less plastic in their supermarkets and in the ocean, and this polling suggests they’re willing to use their feet to show it. About 1.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging gets thrown away in Australia every year – that’s about 38 kilograms every second. Every day that the biggest supermarkets in Australia fail to cut down on the volume of single-use plastic packaging on their products is a devastating blow to our marine wildlife and ecosystems. The environment continues to pay the price for inaction.”
SIX’s Campaigns Manager Phoebe Rountree said:
“Customers have indicated that they not only value less plastic packaging, but that they are willing to change shopping patterns as a result. The onus is on Coles and Woolworths to get the ball rolling by publicly reporting the plastic they are producing and setting meaningful reduction targets. Failure to act will lead to ecosystems continuing to be drowned by plastic pollution, and could lead to reputational and financial risks.”
Room for a supermarket to lead
SIX, AMCS, and Future Super urge Coles and Woolworths to confront their domestic plastic pollution issues. They are calling for supermarkets to disclose plastic use, establish public overall plastic reduction targets, and report annually on their progress – actions shoppers clearly want. Seven in 10 Australians support mandating major supermarkets to publicly report their annual plastic usage, with only 7% opposing this measure.
When asked to name an organisation leading on plastic responsibility, 92% of consumers could not name one. Among the 8% who could, no single organisation was mentioned by more than 1% of respondents. Supermarkets have an opportunity to take the lead in reducing unnecessary plastic.
Woolworths has recently taken a step towards greater transparency by publicly reporting the plastic intensity score for its own brand packaging for the first time in August 2026 after years of pressure from AMCS. While this disclosure avoids a member statement or resolution at Woolworths’ 2026 AGM, Woolworths will still address shareholder questions at their AGM on 29 October.
Coles' Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for 6 November in Melbourne and online, where AMCS and SIX will raise questions about the member statement on plastic pollution, lodged as part of the campaign.
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More information: https://www.six-invest.com.au/campaigns/big-business-stop-fuelling-plastic-pollution
Media contact
Alana Theodor: [email protected] / 0420 525 556
Interview opportunities
- Tara Jones, AMCS, Program Manager (Plastics & Packaging) is available for interview
- Phoebe Rountree, SIX, Campaigns Manager, is available for interview
- Emily Flood, Future Super, Chief Impact Officer, is available for interview
- Catherine Lane, shopper case study is available on request
Editors’ notes
About the campaign
Each year, 145,000 tonnes of plastic leaks into Australia’s environment. That is more than 250 kilograms every minute.
Government and industry are failing to meet commitments such as the 2025 National Packaging Targets. Australians are concerned about the impact of plastic on our ecosystems, wildlife, oceans and health.
SIX is teaming up with leading Australian charity AMCS and sustainable superannuation fund Future Super. In 2026 and beyond, we’re using shareholder power and pushing big ASX-listed companies - across retail, healthcare, food & beverage and more - to tackle their domestic plastic pollution problem.
About the polling
Future Super commissioned YouGov who surveyed 1,504 Australian voters aged 18 and over online between 1 and 8 September 2026. Results were weighted to the latest ABS population estimates for Australians aged 18 and over eligible to vote. The margin of error is about ±3.1 percentage points. Where figures combine response options, such as “strongly support” and “somewhat support”, this is shown in the text. YouGov is accredited to ISO 20252:2019.
Government position: ABC, “Government cites cost of living as reason to break its promise on recycling”, 8 September 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/labor-broken-promise-on-plastic-recycling/107125916
Additional assets
- Full YouGov polling results: [attached to distribution]
About us:
About AMCS
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is Australia’s leading voice for ocean conservation. As an independent charity, we have been protecting our precious marine life and habitats since 1965.
We are a passionate community of scientists, educators, and advocates dedicated to safeguarding Australia’s ocean. Our work has helped establish vital marine reserves, protect endangered species like the Australian sea lion, stop super trawlers and lead efforts to ban whaling.
From the Great Barrier Reef to Ningaloo, together with our community of ocean lovers, AMCS fights for a healthy ocean and our marine wildlife every day.
About SIX
SIX is Australia's only ethical share trading platform, combining investing with activism. SIX helps everyday investors find shares that match their values, and empowers shareholders to use their holdings to push for change at listed companies on big issues like climate, nature and social justice.
About Future Super
A comfortable retirement depends on more than investment returns. It also depends on a strong economy, a stable climate and resilient communities.
Future Super helps members grow their retirement savings while investing in the long-term systems that support prosperity. It is one of Australia's leading choice sustainable super funds for people who want their money to match their values and their future.
Future Super is certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). Through its in-house coaching service, members can get financial advice on their super at no extra cost, which helps more Australians make informed decisions about their retirement savings.
Contact details:
Alana Theodor: [email protected] / 0420 525 556
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SIX, AMCS and Future Super are calling on both supermarkets to disclose, set reduction targets and report on progress.
