Frustrated shoppers slammed the retail giant for “useless” bags that reportedly break after one use.

Woolworths shoppers switching to the 15c reusable plastic bags have voiced their anger at the retail giant for “useless” bags that reportedly break and tear after one use.

Since the national ban on single-use plastic bags from supermarkets, shoppers who have not brought their own bags to collect their groceries have been forced to buy the 80% recyclable plastic bags.

Following backlash, Woolworths decided to offer the bags to customers for free while they transition to new habits, however some have found their “reusable” product to break and tear, deeming it not so useful.

View photos Woolworths shoppers switching to the 15c reusable plastic bags have voiced their anger at the retail giant for “useless” bags that reportedly break and tear after one use. Source: Sharon Linsley‎, Trace Stephens‎ / Facebook More

“So much for the reusable plastic bags,” Newcastle mother Sharon Linsley wrote on Facebook, with a picture of the bags punctured with holes.

“I only went to Woolworths yesterday at Glendale. One use and they have holes already. So these will become single use bags,” she wrote.

“So much for the environment.

She also reported having to ask the checkout staff not to fill the bags so much after handles broke on a previous bag that was filled with items that were too heavy to carry.

“I am really disappointed with the bags,” she added.

View photos Woolworths’ 99c Bag for good comes with a lifetime guarantee, with the supermarket promising to replace any broken bags for free. Source: AAP More

South Australian woman Trace Stevens reported a similar experience.

“The new plastic bags are useless [seeing] as the handles break and your left with struggling to grab the bag before it hits the ground as groceries fall out,” she wrote on Facebook.

“If we are to pay for this rubbish then it needs to be improved to at least hold groceries in them.”

Ms Stevens said she usually brought in her own bags but “got caught out needing to go get some things for tea and didn’t have a bag.”

“I relied on your plastic bags but never again, they should be free seen as they are of such poor quality.”

View photos Another customer reported her bag tearing after a single shop. Source: Gabby Newman‎ / Facebook More

Gabby Newman also described issues with her shopping bags.

“I have to buy lots as I cannot carry them as full as your operators fill them and I have a bag that I paid for (prior to the complimentary period) which after 1 use is now torn,” she wrote.

“I’m also hoping that I do not have to replace these bags weekly as my general shop is over $250 and that’s a lot of bags.”

She opted against purchasing the 99c bags, as it ate into the family budget.

Ms Newman also raised the question of sustainability if those broken bags were thrown in the rubbish.

“I will have to throw it away into landfill and I’m hoping it will break down faster than the single use bags,” she said.

View photos Woolworths claims its reusable bags are more durable than the single-use plastic bags now banned from supermarkets . Source: 7 News More

Woolworths responded saying its reusable bags were more durable than the single-use plastic bags now banned from supermarkets. Broken bags are also able to be recycled in the REDcycle bins in stores.

“Our new reusable bags are made from at least 80% recycled plastic, they’re stronger than single-use plastic bags and can be recycled at the end of their use, which will help reduce the impact on the environment,” it said in a statement.

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