Coles scraps single-use plastic bags for fruit and vegetables as part of Australian first trial in the ACT

Coles has announced it will remove single-use plastic bags for fresh produce as part of a new trial in the Australian Capital Territory from next month.

The plastic fresh produce bags, also known as barrier bags, will be removed from all 12 stores across the ACT from September 14.

Customers will be encouraged to bring their own bags to hold their fresh produce or buy reusable mesh bags in store.

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Customers will be encouraged to bring reusable bags or purchase reusable mesh bags. Picture: Coles / Martin Keep

In preparation for the trial, Coles will give a free three-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags - made with 90 per cent recycled materials - to customers who spend $5 on fruit and vegetables between August 31 until September 13.

Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells said the initiative is expected to reduce about 11 tonnes of plastic each year.

"Under our Together to Zero waste ambition, we are always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary and problematic single-use plastic packaging and provide sustainable solutions to our customers," he said in a statement.

"This will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial a completely reusable method of helping customers purchase their fresh fruit and veggies.

This will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial the removal of single-use plastic bags for fresh produce. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

"We will be looking closely at how our ACT customers respond. These insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to our customers nationally."

The supermarket giant recently rolled out fresh produce bags made with 50 per cent recycled plastic across the country. The bags can be returned to REDcycle bins at any Coles supermarket to be recycled.

The plastic barrier bags will continue to be used in delis and in Coles Online orders.

Paper bags will still be available in the fresh produce section for customers to pack mushrooms.