NTUC FairPrice Will Base on “Trust” When Disposable Plastic Bag Charges Kick In from 3 July

Always taking extra plastic bags from NTUC FairPrice because you need bags for your trash?

Well, here’s a PSA for you folks out there: You’ll be charged for plastic bags at NTUC FairPrice from 3 July 2023 onwards.

For checkout counters manned by cashiers, it’s fairly straightforward. If you need plastic bags, the cashier will add the charges into the total bill for you.

But what about self-checkout kiosks? How would they charge for plastic bags?

Here’s what you need to know.

NTUC FairPrice Will Base on “Trust” When Disposable Plastic Bag Charges Kick In from 3 July

While NTUC FairPrice’s trust in humanity has been tested time and again, it did not stop them from trusting in people’s honour, it seems.

When the compulsory plastic bag charge kicks in on 3 July 2023, NTUC FairPrice will be adopting a system based on trust for its self-checkout machines.

Post-3 July, you will carry out your self-checkout process as usual. You’ll still need to scan your own products and there will be a stack of plastic bags available for you to bag your purchases.

What’s different is that you’ll have to scan a barcode located at the bottom left-hand corner of the monitor.

Take three plastic bags? Scan it three times with the handheld scanner. Going for broke and taking five plastic bags? Scan it five times.

The payment screen will reflect the number of plastic bag charges you incur.

NTUC FairPrice Trying to Make Process Seamless & Easy

For those who still remember the trolley saga, I know what you’re thinking.

Will people really scan? Or will they scan one time even though they took four hundred pieces?

Well, for one, NTUC FairPrice believes many of their customers “will do the right thing”.

It doesn’t hurt that the barcodes are very big and prominent so people are made to “remember”. 

And two, there’s still the friendly neighbourhood NTUC FairPrice staff overseeing the self-checkout areas.

Other than being on-site to help customers with self-checkout issues, they will also remind customers to scan the barcode if they haven’t.

The reason why NTUC FairPrice is being so lax with the process is quite simple, they’re trying to make the process as simple and seamless as possible.

While an increase in self-checkout transaction time is expected to increase slightly, NTUC FairPrice is confident that it will “smoothen out” over time.

Notices about the impending plastic bag charge has also been deployed within stores to remind customers.

How Much Does Each NTUC FairPrice Plastic Bag Cost

Now, to the meat of the article: how much will each plastic bag cost you?

The good news is, each plastic bag costs 5 cents, half the price of the 10 cents we’d all expected.

The best part? It’s regardless of size.

I can imagine all the aunties at the counters scolding cashiers for giving them the smallest white plastic bag instead of the bigger ones.

This charge only applies to plastic bags with handles. For the transparent plastic bags with no handles at the fresh fruit & vegetable section, they’re free.

In other words, your mom can still continue the habit of grabbing a handful of them to separate frozen chicken thighs at home.

Reusable Bag Racks Could Be Available at All NTUC FairPrice Outlets

At some FairPrice outlets, there is a rack of reusable bags situated right outside the entrance.

These reusable bags are donated, and anyone who needs a reusable bag can grab one from there.

The initiative may be rolled out to all outlets in Singapore progressively.