The Singapore Environment Council is right to seek a reduction of “wastage arising from taking small bags with low potential for secondary use”, but its recommendations appear to be inadequate. (“Only take what you need for rubbish disposal”; Oct 9)

Most discussions on this issue draw attention to the astronomical number of plastic bags used by Singaporeans, with usage at supermarkets as the whipping boy. Are we barking up the wrong tree, however, given the evidence that most of these bags are reused for rubbish disposal?

Instead, there is some room to reduce the consumption of plastic bags for food items. For example, a major bakery chain wraps bread individually in plastic bags at the checkout counter. These are thrown away after the bread is eaten, as they have no alternative uses.

We should request that paper boxes be used. Most sales of food items involve the use of plastic bags, partly for hygiene reasons and partly to cater to our way of life. If we want a meaningful reduction in plastic bag usage, we must accept some changes to our way of life.

Many have pointed out that other developed countries have controlled the use of plastic bags. However, there are two important differences between Singapore and these countries. First, our warm climate promotes the proliferation of rodents and pests.

Second, food waste from Asian cuisines is generally messier (leftover bones and gravy).

Without enough plastic bags to manage the waste, public health issues might be costlier to address. Are we prepared to change our diet so that plastic bags are not critical to food waste disposal?

As for using biodegradable bags, I feel that they are sometimes a greater waste of resources.

A major IT retail chain here gives out reusable bags for purchases, but ironically, I have little subsequent use for these compared to the supermarkets’ plastic bags.

Singapore should indeed curb wastage of plastic bags. However, we should target scenarios where the usage is non-essential, particularly for non-food items.

Perhaps all retailers should make the effort to first ask consumers if they require a bag. Given a chance to reflect on this, a sizeable number may not take the bags.