FairPrice took the lead in reducing plastic bag usage

The Straits Times, Published on Oct 29, 2011
FairPrice took the lead in reducing plastic bag usage
WE THANK Ms Catherine Ho Shull for her concerns on the environment ('Time to say a firm 'no' to plastic bags'; Tuesday) and would like to share FairPrice's position on this issue.

The production, use and disposal of plastic bags, if not managed properly, can cause severe environmental damage. Research shows that one key factor contributing to the damaging effects of plastic bags is littering, which can clog drainage systems and contribute to flooding.
Plastic waste is also a main component of waste floating in the sea, which can kill marine animals if ingested.
So the issue is about responsible disposal and reducing excessive consumption of plastic bags. While there are consumers who litter plastic bags, many reuse the bags to line garbage bins and pick up after pets, for instance.
Without free bags from retailers, consumers will be forced to buy them.
Western nations such as Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany have introduced a national ban or taxes to reduce the use of plastic bags.
Asian nations like China and Malaysia, and cities like Hong Kong have imposed a similar ban, backed by law.
In the absence of similar legislation in Singapore, FairPrice took the lead in 2007 to reduce plastic bag consumption when we introduced the FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme.
Under this scheme, customers who use their own bags to pack purchases receive a rebate of 10 cents for a minimum purchase of $10.
This encouragement has made headway and we have saved some five to six million bags annually in the recent two years. We remain the only Singaporean supermarket to have such a scheme.
Our annual FairPrice Cares Campaign is another initiative where we pledge a donation to a charity for every customer who uses a recycled bag to pack her purchases during the campaign.
While more customers are bringing their own bags, it is a habit that will take time to nurture.
We will continue to work with organisations such as the Singapore Environment Council to encourage customers to reduce plastic bag consumption. We hope more customers can join us in our efforts to protect our environment.
Seah Kian Peng
CEO (Singapore)
NTUC FairPrice Cooperative
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