Push for major supermarkets to accept reusable containers

While certain restaurants, cafes and butchers will allow people to bring their own food storage options, big supermarkets like Coles do not allow it due to "posing a health and safety risk".

"It also makes it very difficult for us to do a thorough investigation if a customer becomes ill and we are unsure where the container used came from," a Coles spokesperson said.

However Food Standards Australia and New Zealand have no requirements in their code regarding people bringing their own containers, suggesting it is up to the retailer to determine the measures they put in place to ensure food is safe.

"We understand the importance of appropriate packaging in maintaining food safety, supporting product longevity and reducing food waste, and at the same time Coles is committed to making our packaging more sustainable."

Rick Storrier, owner of Wagga's Source Bulk Foods store, is all for the move toward a waste-free world which was a big motivator for he and his wife's purchase of the franchise.

"People are looking for this option, they love to shop this way," he said.

Mr Storrier said the food safety does not lie with something as small as bringing personal containers.

"I have a farming background, so I've seen how things like grain are produced. Around 2010 I was harvesting corn in a mice plague and there were literally mice in the produce," he said.

"It doesn't get washed, and people handle it so it already has been exposed and touched, and most of the stuff that would be on it is just microbial factors that are good for our stomachs anyway.

"I would much rather find a hair in these kind of bulk-sourced products than to find out something has been contaminated with harmful chemicals, one can hurt me and one can't and the reality is, we have food safety standards to abide by, things are regulated, hygiene really won't be impacted by people bringing reusable containers."

According to Mr Storrier, it is time for people to start being kinder to the environment.

"We need to get over ourselves, we need to look at our health instead and stop adding toxic chemicals and plastics and waste to our environment and start looking after our planet," he said.

"Supermarkets should absolutely get on board. This gives people an opportunity to make positive changes, so they need to help that happen."

While Coles state a majority of their self-branded products are now in recyclable packaging, they have a announced a new commitment.

"By 2020, We will make packaging for all our products recyclable at kerbside or in store through Coles REDcyle soft plastic recycling bins - and we were the first major Australian supermarket to offer this," the spokesperson said.

"A wide range of meat and poultry packaging will also be 100% recyclable and made from recycled material."