SINGAPORE — In an effort to go green, more companies in Singapore have begun charging for the use of carrier bags to encourage shoppers to bring their own bags.

But despite brands' explanations and the Government's push for sustainability, it seems some shoppers feel that the initiative has "gone too far".

Last Thursday (April 4), Facebook user Roy Chiang took to the group, Complaint Singapore, to air his woes regarding homegrown Singaporean brand BreadTalk's recent implementation of a S$0.10 charge per disposable carrier bag.

Sharing a photo of two buns he had bought from the bakery, Mr Chiang wrote: "So BreadTalk no longer gives carriers for any purchases unless you purchase it at S$0.10? Maybe (this is) their excuse to earn every single cent.

"I think that bakeries such as BreadTalk or Toast Box should provide one plastic bag unless the customer doesn't want (it), (and) any additional quantity at S$0.10 per piece."

The post has since amassed 70 reactions and 120 comments, with many Facebook users agreeing with Mr Chiang and expressing scepticism about the plastic bag charge.

BREADTALK AIMS TO CUT PLASTIC USE

A BreadTalk spokesperson told TODAY on Tuesday that the S$0.10 surcharge was implemented across all BreadTalk stores starting last Monday.

"Joining a growing number of businesses in Singapore adopting the 'bring your own bag' initiative, our aim is to reduce overall plastic consumption and eliminate the need for unnecessary plastic carrier bags with every transaction," he said.

"Through this initiative, we hope to contribute to environmental conservation efforts, minimise plastic waste and promote a more sustainable way of life."

The spokesperson added that an offer had been extended to BreadTalk customers throughout March this year in anticipation of this transition — a S$0.10 discount per transaction if they opted out of taking a plastic carrier bag.

Since 2022, the company has launched several campaigns distributing reusable bags and encouraging its customers to consider bringing along such bags for their purchases. Reusable bags can also be purchased from BreadTalk for S$4 each.

However, many netizens saw the move as a money grab, calling the company "greedy" and urging customers to patronise "other friendlier bakeries" which do not charge for plastic bags instead.

"Nowadays corporates use whatever excuses like 'save the earth' to earn as much as they can," wrote one user.

"They can remove straws to 'go green' while using drink covers with more plastic, food courts forcing 'reusable takeaway cups' down our throats, increasing iced drinks' prices from S$1.80 to S$2.70...

"All doing (what) they can to keep up the profits and KPI (key performance indicators), at the expense of consumers."

But some netizens stood up for BreadTalk, writing: "Bring your own bag or do without one, lah. What is so difficult?

"Want to leave a better world for the next generation and don't want the earth to warm up so fast. Want all these but don't want to do anything."

Still, critics argued that it would be "unhygienic and counter-intuitive" to use reusable bags, that might have previously held raw food and groceries, for ready-to-eat food.

Additionally, with fewer stores offering free plastic bags, they have now become "precious commodities" that people need in order to dispose of their household trash, they added.

"BreadTalk shouldn't worry about their carriers adding substantially to the carbon footprint (as they are recycled as trash bags)," wrote one Facebook user.

"And they should do well by redesigning their carriers that are more light-weight and can be re-purposed as trash bags."

Similarly, a post by Facebook user Sen LY in a separate Complaint Singapore group last Sunday expressed shock and outrage at a S$0.50 charge for a woven carrier bag after buying two pairs of shoes at American footwear store Skechers.

"I only realised that I was charged S$0.50 for the carrier bag when I got home," wrote the user.

"This is like daylight robbery. Although the sum is small, if you want to charge, please have the courtesy of informing before taking the money!!"

She added that if she had known of the charge beforehand, she might not have bought the shoes at all.

Ms Sen's post has also generated much discussion on the topic, with 195 reactions, 80 comments and 30 shares.

Speaking to TODAY on Tuesday, Skechers clarified that additional charges for its reusable carrier bags were implemented on Feb 1 this year, with a small bag costing $0.20 and a large bag costing S$0.50.

Cashiers are required to verbally inform customers of the charges for the carrier bag(s) before payment, said the brand. 

"Retailers should not charge for bags when their logos are in play," read the top comment on Ms Sen's post. "The above will piss off tourists, not only locals."

Another agreed: "These retailers are getting free promotion of their brand from us, customers, so the bag should be free as (it is) already incorporated in the product cost."

"Soon they won't have the box too, just the pair of shoes," joked one Facebook user. "You want a box, S$2 plus S$0.50 for a bag."

Skechers' marketing manager Ho Wing Sum told TODAY: "For this incident that happened in VivoCity, we double checked with the CCTVs (closed-circuit televisions) instore and confirmed that this customer was aware of the S$0.50 charge as she was informed by the staff before payment.

"We are contacting the customer for recovery for this feedback."