Supermarkets Will Start Charging At Least $0.05 Per Plastic Bag from 3 July

You probably already know supermarkets will start charging at least $0.05 per plastic bag soon.

The news was first announced in March 2022. More details were released in early February 2023.

Since then, more details have been revealed.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Charge to Take Effect from 3 July 2023

That’s right. There’s now a specific start date for this initiative.

The news was announced by Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor on 2 March 2023.

About two-thirds of all major supermarket outlets in Singapore will charge for disposable shopping bags from 3 July.

That’s about 400 outlets.

These supermarkets include chains like FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong and Prime.

Disposable carrier bags of other materials like paper will also carry a charge.

A joint statement by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said, “Whether they are made of paper, plastic or degradable materials, disposables have an impact on our environment during their production, transportation and disposal.”

In Singapore, all disposable bags are recycled or incinerated before being thrown into the Semakau landfill.

Thus, biodegradable bags cannot naturally degrade here. 

Furthermore, biodegradable bags aren’t necessarily recyclable. 

Notably, supermarket chains can proceed with the charge before 3 July 2023. 

Supermarket operators must publish information on the number of bags given, the amount of proceeds received from the bag charge and how the proceeds will be used.

NEA said, “NEA strongly encourages supermarket operators to use the collected proceeds to support charitable programmes or sustainability-related initiatives.”

According to Dr Khor, all supermarket operators have said they intend to use the proceeds from the bag charge for environmental and social causes.

If you’re overwhelmed by the new information, watch this video for a quick summary of the bag charge:

 

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Ministries and Statutory Boards to Report Sustainability Efforts Annually

Other than the updates on the bag charge in supermarkets, it’s also been revealed that the Government will publish an annual report to detail its progress, efforts and plans regarding environmental sustainability.

The report falls under the GreenGov.Sg initiative, which details how the public sector will lead Singapore to become more sustainable.

According to Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, the report will be published from the Financial year 2023 (FY2023) onwards.

In addition, all statutory boards will publish annual environmental sustainability disclosures from FY2024.

A few statutory boards like the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the National Environment Agency, Singapore’s national water agency PUB and Sentosa Development Corporation have already published such disclosures.

MSE hopes to encourage more companies to track, plan and disclose their environmental performance as Singapore moves towards a greener economy.

Zero Waste SG’s “Bring Your Own Bag” Booth

Besides government efforts, environmental groups like Zero Waste SG have done up their own initiatives to encourage others to make Singapore more sustainable.

Since 11 February, Zero Waste SG has been organising and running weekend roadshows at different supermarkets.

The next roadshow will be held at the Sheng Shiong outlet in Serangoon North Avenue 5 from 4 March to 6 March.

In addition, Zero Waste SG has launched Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) booths at different locations in Singapore.

Here’s the complete list of locations where you can find BYOB booths:

In an Instagram post promoting this initiative, the group wrote, “You can even start by contributing your excess Reusable Bags at home or office, in your drawers, storeroom, or just hidden somewhere in your car.”

 

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“All you need to do is bring these bags, share them with others through our BYOB Bag Rack, and let the bags be used as intended.” 

Bloobox

Dr Khor also revealed that every home can collect a recycling box from vending machines later this month.

The recycling box, called Bloobox, is foldable and can hold up to 5kg of paper, plastic, metal or glass recyclables or electronic waste.

The initiative, which began with a pilot distribution to more than 8,600 households in November and December 2022, aims to make recycling more convenient for families.

Each Bloobox has a removable divider to separate small e-waste items like batteries and light bulbs from other recyclables.

The recyclables collected in a Bloobox can be dropped off in a blue recycling bin or recycling chute.

Aiding the Transition to a Greener Singapore

Changing our habits is a challenging feat.

That’s why support will be offered during Singapore’s transition to a greener country.

Dr Khor said, “Following consultations with supermarket operators, we understand that the majority will be charging five cents per bag, and this would moderate potential cost impact on consumers.”

Ms Fu also announced that the Government would expand a current initiative giving people living in one to three-room HDB flats vouchers to buy energy-saving appliances to more households.

The current initiative is supposed to last till the end of the year, where every one to three-room household can redeem three e-vouchers to buy energy-saving appliances like refrigerators, LED lights and water-saving shower fittings.

By the way, these three e-vouchers are worth $225.

The Government will release more details on the initiative’s expansion later in the year.

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Looking Towards a Greener Singapore

Singapore’s commitment to achieving its sustainability targets is no joke.

The Government has committed to achieving several sustainability targets by 2030.

Furthermore, the Government aims to achieve net-zero emissions around 2045, five years ahead of the national target. 

However, amidst these ambitious goals, Singapore’s domestic recycling rate was only 13% in 2021, the lowest in ten years.

NEA said, “Climate action and environmental protection are gaining pace internationally and locally, and we cannot continue with business as usual.”

According to Dr Khor, similar bag charge schemes in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom have decreased plastic bag use by 60% to 90%.

NEA added, “This will bring us closer to our vision of becoming a Zero Waste Nation, contributing towards our Singapore Green Plan 2030 goal to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill per capita per day by 20% by 2026, and 30% by 2030.”

“Together, we can build a greener and more resource-conscious Singapore, and preserve our environment for future generations.”

Before the bag charge officially kicks in, consider bringing a reusable bag to shop instead.