Singaporeans just can’t seem to do away with plastic bags, despite calls to do so to save Mother Earth.
Each year in Singapore, some 2.5 billion plastic bags are used which means vast quantities of non-renewable resources such as crude oil and natural gas are consumed to produce them.
The Singapore Environment Council wants to find out why and it has commissioned a research paper to understand attitudes toward plastic bag usage.
Some 200 people will be surveyed and the findings will be shared in September.
Based on the findings, the council will propose creative solutions to the government in tackling the problem.
Executive director of Singapore Environment Council, Jose Raymond noted that while the use of plastic bags cannot be eradicated as many people see them as a necessary commodity, it is important to look at how to reduce the amount of plastic bag use in Singapore as it is a problem that is not being dealt with quickly enough.
Mr Raymond added: “There are a few countries around the world which have regulated the use of plastic bags. Whether it is going to take place in Singapore, we don’t know. What we hope to do is to create this awareness that we have a problem and when we have a problem, we do have to find solutions for it. We think that is the reason why this research paper will hopefully nudge the government and the people into looking at some of the solutions which we come up with, and maybe try to use them in their approach towards this plastic bag problem.
“If you know the amount that goes into the production of one kg of plastic bags, you realise that we are really utilising and using too much. I think our role is far greater than just outreach. We need to be able to influence people, and influencing people refers not just to the community, but even government, statutory boards, organisations.”
Mr Raymond also noted that more people are also walking the talk when it comes to environmental consciousness. He noted, for example, that more companies are taking up the Singapore Green Label which he said translates to more people recognising that they have a part to play in environmental protection. He also noted expanded numbers in the council’s Eco-Office Programme.
Ground-up efforts have also taken root in some supermarkets which offer incentives to those who say no to plastic bags.
NTUC FairPrice offers a 10-cent rebate to shoppers who spend above S$10 and bring their own bags.
Koh Kok Sin, chairperson of NTUC FairPrice’s Green Committee, explained: “We know that 10-cents may seem small, but it is actually our small effort to give a reminder. And we do know of customers and even staff who have accumulated more than hundred transactions over a six-month period, and you think about it, a hundred over transactions is S$10 worth of rebates they earn.”
At FairPrice Finest in Zhongshan Park, shoppers also get their own checkout counter which means getting to beat long queues.
The supermarket is one of only three outlets that is a testing ground for these green checkout counters. FairPrice said it will observe customer reactions as well as any operational difficulties that arise before deciding whether to expand these counters to other outlets.
Some shoppers have taken to the idea.
“It is more environmentally friendly so every little bit helps to keep it green,” said shopper Marilyn Pollet.
Others like Ms Ivy Lai may need more persuasion.
“Usually we don’t come to the supermarket directly. We go somewhere else and at the same time come here to buy something, so it is rather inconvenient,” she said.
FairPrice is hopeful that with time, more shoppers will cotton on.
