Shoppers pay less for prepackaged fruit and vegetables than for loose produce

Australian supermarkets have come under fire after a national audit found none met sustainability standards for plastic use for the third year in a row.

Shoppers often pay less for pre-packaged fruit and vegetables, while avoiding plastic can cost more.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Supermarkets slammed for plastic use

Pensioner Trish, who carefully manages her weekly budget, said the system is frustrating.

“I hate the polystyrene and the plasticated everything,” she said.

“I think it’s a complete fallacy that we are paying the prices we are paying.”

The Australian Marine Conservation Society ( AMCS ) revealed that more than 70 per cent of cases resulted in customers paying more to avoid disposable plastic packaging.

Loose onions, for instance, cost $3.90 per kilo, while packaged ones we