MPs raise concerns about pests, karung guni men's earnings as Parliament passes law to reduce plastic usage

Parliament on Wednesday (March 22) passed laws that will require large supermarkets to implement a plastic bag charge, and a refundable deposit scheme for beverage cans and plastic bottles

Dr Amy Khor, the Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, said that these new measures are to encourage people to be more mindful of their consumption habits

Members of Parliament raised several concerns over the course of the debate, with some worrying that discouraging plastic bag use could lead to the improper disposal of household rubbish

Some others felt that the measures should also discourage excessive online packaging

Several MPs also worried that the upcoming beverage container return scheme could erode the income of elderly, low-income karung guni men