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Shoppers to pay for plastic bags at seven FairPrice and Cheers outlets

SINGAPORE — Shoppers at seven FairPrice and Cheers outlets will have to pay for plastic bags if they require them in a month-long trial starting from Sept 16.

A month-long trial at selected NTUC FairPrice outlets will see shoppers having to pay for plastic bags.

A month-long trial at selected NTUC FairPrice outlets will see shoppers having to pay for plastic bags.

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SINGAPORE — Shoppers at seven FairPrice and Cheers outlets will have to pay for plastic bags if they require them in a month-long trial starting from Sept 16.

NTUC FairPrice announced the trial, along with the launch of its S$1 million FairPrice Sustainability Fund to address sustainability and environmental issues, in a press release on Wednesday (Sept 4). 

Customers who require plastic bags at these seven stores will have to purchase them at S$0.20 per transaction at FairPrice, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra stores or S$0.10 per transaction at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores. 

The proceeds will go to the Singapore Children’s Society and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. 

There will also be a consumer sentiment survey on plastic bag usage at these selected stores to better understand consumer behaviour and gather public feedback on the efforts encouraging customers to bring their own bags. 

Shoppers TODAY spoke to were supportive of the initiative and said that it is a good step in reducing plastic use. 

Secondary school student Sherine Josal, 15, said: “It is beneficial and a good way to cut down on our plastic consumption, seeing that plastic bags are frequently used by Singaporeans every day, even when it might be unnecessary.”

The Whitley Secondary School student, who brings her own reusable bags when grocery shopping, said: “This initiative will also help to promote the BYO (Bring Your Own) culture among Singaporeans, such as bringing their own reusable bags when doing their grocery shopping.” 

Echoing her sentiments, Ms Michelle Chin, 49, housewife, said that the initiative should be extended to more outlets. 

“I think it is a brilliant idea. Other countries, like Norway, have already started doing this and it is long overdue.” 

FairPrice will also use its new fund to sponsor projects that tackle wastage.

Proposal submissions are open to registered groups and organisations like tertiary institutions, start-ups and charities. 

Chief executive officer of NTUC FairPrice Seah Kian Peng said: “Addressing climate change was a key focus in the Prime Minister’s National Day Rally speech and we recognise that sustainability and the preservation of our environment are pertinent issues that require the continual and concerted efforts from industry players, government agencies and the community.”

The month-long trial, consumer survey and fund are extensions of the FairPrice Plastic Bag Management Programme that was launched last year. The aim is to save 30 million plastic bags per annum by 2030. 

The seven stores that will charge for plastic bags per transaction are: 

FairPrice Xtra at Hougang One, FairPrice Finest at Zhongshan Park, FairPrice at Tai Seng, Cheers at Create Way, Cheers at Sengkang Community Hospital, Cheers at 611 Aljunied Road and FairPrice Xpress at 384 Lorong Chuan.

Related topics

NTUC plastic bag environment ban

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