Some NTUC Fairprice & Cheers Outlets To Start Charging For Plastic Bags From 16 Sept

We all know that the earth is dying and that it’s completely up to us to do something to save it.

And one way to save it would be to stop using plastic bags.

But let’s be honest.

Plastic bags are EVERYWHERE.

They’re easily accessible, convenient and durable. If you go to the supermarket, they’re just sitting there, longing to be used, and waiting to carry your stuff for you.

How can you say no to something that is free and available 24/7?

Unless…it isn’t.

Some Fairprice & Cheers Outlets Will Charge Shoppers for Plastic Bags

A total of 7 Fairprice and Cheers outlets around Singapore will start to charge 10-20 cents per plastic bag, starting from 16 September 2019.

This trial will last for a month and was announced by NTUC Fairprice on Wednesday, 4 September, in a press release.

Customers who don’t bring their own environmentally-friendly bags will have to pay for plastic bags, instead of getting them for free.

The plastic bags will be charged at $0.20 per transaction at FairPrice, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra stores or $0.10 per transaction at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores.

Here are the list of stores taking part in this trial:

• FairPrice Xtra @ Hougang One
• FairPrice Finest @ Zhongshan Park
• FairPrice @ Tai Seng
• Cheers at 1 Create Way
• Cheers at 1 Anchorvale Street
• Cheers at 611 Aljunied Road
• FairPrice Xpress at 384 Lorong Chuan

If you’re a frequent visitor of any of these stores, remember to bring along your own recyclable bag every time you head over.

The money collected will be donated to the Singapore Children’s Society and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Singaporeans Are Supportive of This Movement

Now, we all know that Singaporeans are the kings and queens of complaining.

But this time, most of them seem to be quite happy about NTUC’s decision to start charging for plastic bags.

According to TODAYonline, shoppers that they spoke to were supportive of the initiative and said that it is a good step in attempting to reduce plastic use.

Sherine Josal, a 15-year-old secondary school student said, “It is beneficial and a good way to cut down on our plastic consumption, seeing that plastic bags are frequently used by Singaporeans every day, even when it might be unnecessary.”

Sherine, who often brings her own bag while shopping, continued, “This initiative will also help to promote the BYO (Bring Your Own) culture among Singaporeans, such as bringing their own reusable bags when doing their grocery shopping.”

Ms. Michelle Chin, 49, also spoke to TODAYonline and she mentioned that the initiative should be extended to more outlets.

“I think it is a brilliant idea. Other countries, like Norway, have already started doing this and it is long overdue.”

NTUC Taking Initiative to Reduce Waste

This initiative is an extension of the FairPrice Plastic Bag Management Programme, which was launched in 2019.

The aim of this programme is to save 30 million plastic bags per annum by 2030.

Apart from the trial, a consumer sentiment survey will also be conducted in order “to better understand consumer behaviour and gather public feedback on efforts to encourage the community to ‘bring-your-own-bag’ (BYOB)”.

Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong emphasized that climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face in his National Day Rally speech this year.

Hearing this, Seah Kian Peng, chief executive officer of NTUC FairPrice, said “Addressing climate change was a key focus in the Prime Minister’s National Day Rally speech and we recognise that sustainability and the preservation of our environment are pertinent issues that require the continual and concerted efforts from industry players, government agencies and the community.”

Way to go, NTUC!

Pssst. Cold Storage and Sheng Siong, you better be taking notes.