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SINGAPORE: Singapore's first Bring Your Own Bag Day on Wednesday managed to save an estimated 100,000 plastic bags.
According to leading supermarket chains NTUC Fairprice and Cold Storage, they cut the number of plastic bags by up to 60 per cent.
They also sold about 20,000 reusable bags.
At one Cold Storage outlet, most shoppers say they do not mind if they have to donate 10 cents to environmental projects for every plastic bag they take.
"If they donate it, it's up to them, right? But I think I'll bring my own bag. It makes more sense," said one lady shopper.
"I have no objection because it's contributing to the eco friendly system. I think it's good! For us businessman, for shopping we don't carry a bag! But for housewives, yes, if they have time to bring their own bag then it would be a good idea," said another shopper.
But not everyone agrees.
"In the first place it's an inconvenience to me. On an everyday basis, some of us [are] in a rush, then it'll add up to a big amount. But I guess as a habit it's always good to recycle," says one customer.
Some viewers told Channel NewsAsia that paying "10 cents per bag is way too expensive".
One viewer said she saw "two women who went shopping at a mart without shopping bags and brought the (NTUC) baskets home".
Others argued that for families who shop in bulk, it is "not feasible to bring over 20 reusable bags just for that one outing."
There were also suggestions for supermarkets to waive the charges for plastic bags if you spend $50 or more.
So it looks like the habit of bringing your own shopping bag to cut down on the use of plastic bags will take some time to cultivate.
But with so many reusable bags available in all shapes and sizes, sometimes all it takes is a little planning in your shopping schedule and you too can do your bit for the environment.
One shopper says she has some 10 reusable bags, and keeps one in her car at all times.
"You know you're going shopping. You know you're going to need bags, so why don't you just use [or] bring them!"
Some retailers, like furniture store IKEA, plan to charge shoppers five to 10 cents for its plastic bags from this Sunday.
Therefore paying for the convenience may just be the start of a new trend in Singapore. - CNA/yy
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