FairPrice’s trial to charge for plastic bags a positive step, but more needs to be done

Supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice’s announcement this week that shoppers have to pay for plastic bags at selected stores in a month-long trial prompted much debate among TODAY readers. While most lauded the move, many said supermarkets such as FairPrice could go further, including reducing the plastic used in packing perishables and charging more for plastic bags. Others asked if the move would help cut plastic use, as many Singaporeans still rely on plastic bags for waste disposal.  

Well done. To a greener Earth. SHANNON PERRY IGNATIUS

While this seems to be a great initiative, rewarding those who bring their own bags will be a better move… Also, the National Environment Agency could encourage companies to produce eco-friendly plastic bags. Some plastic bags are made from shrimp shells. Many European countries have long started this practice. YEN CHUA

Finally the start of something. But they should reduce the usage of single-use plastic for vegetables. JOAN CHEN

Please, look at the amount of cling wrap and plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables, which are not necessary. JAY NEE

Since consumers need to do their part, FairPrice should also set an example by not packaging their groceries with plastic. HANSON KEWIN

I agree this is a good push for everyone to start bringing their own shopping bag. What if your bag is too small? Then buy less, spend less and generate less trash. CHONG LI YING

Bringing one's own bag and trolley is not a problem. But the problem is, how to throw rubbish? SYED ZUL

Question: How do people here gather or bag your trash? I bet most use plastic bags from supermarkets, right? We take that away. What then? You buy trash bags, right? Trash bags are plastics. They still end up in the system. What, then, are we saving? I suggest we use biodegradable bags. ADRIAN KOH

The Government should solve the issue of how Singaporeans who live in high-rise buildings are going to dispose of their food waste, before thinking about how to save the environment by not using plastic bags. ANTHONY OW

How about subsidising consumers who bring their own bags with the funds raised from charging users who need plastic bags? For example, give a S$2 discount to those who bring their own bags, while charging 20 cents for each plastic bag required. To incentivise people to change their mindsets and behaviour, perhaps periodic lucky draws could be held initially for consumers who bring their own bags. MERVYN SEK

I recently visited India and the United Kingdom, where plastic bags are totally not in use. It is an offence for merchants to use plastic bags or disposable plastic utensils. Most consumers bring their own bags, or they can buy canvas or cloth bags. SURESH KUMAR

A 20-cent charge is not going to be a deterrent... make it S$2. DOUGLAS CHOW

A 20-cent fee is too low. Charge 50 cents for a bag. That will have impact. Also, learn from the Koreans. For those who bring their own bags, give them 10 or 20 cents as a reward for each bag. JASON GHIM HWEE NG

What is the purpose of charging for the bags if you want to go green? No plastics bags then. JENNY ERH

FairPrice should stop selling plastic bags. Sell recycled bags instead. KAMARUDDIN SAHABUDIN

Might as well be like Aeon in Malaysia: Make Saturday a no-plastic-bag day. EVAN SIM

I have been using my own recycled bags to buy groceries at supermarkets. Even for fish, I use my own container. I do not think it is very heavy to bring recycled bags and containers to buy the items. For bagging rubbish, I use whatever plastic packaging I can find. I do not see a need to take plastic bags at all. CANDICE CHANG

This should be implemented at all FairPrice stores. Save our environment. I have been using recycled bags for groceries and saying no to plastic. RACHEL LEE

I cringe when I see some people asking to double-bag their purchases and some who ask for extra bags to carry with them. You can say that you are using them for the rubbish bins and trash, but in reality, you take more bags than you can recycle. FRANKIE CHEW

It is ironic that shoppers have to pay for plastic bags when cashiers at most supermarkets are very liberal at bagging one or two items of the same kind into a plastic bag that can accommodate more. Even more surprising, I have seen some cashiers conveniently using a smaller plastic bag to tie the handles of a big plastic bag together. Mustafa Centre should likewise play its part by doing away with its massive use of plastic cable ties to bind every single plastic bag at the entrances and checking counters. PRISCILLA POH BENG HOON

No bags, no go. How am I going to carry hundreds of dollars’ worth of stuff? TAY STEPHEN

These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page or submitted to Voices. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length.