Forgotten reusable bags collecting dust around the home can now be put to good use.
As of yesterday (3 July), the public can drop unused reusable bags into a donation bin at eight supermarket outlets.
Local environmental group Zero Waste SG (ZWSG), which is behind the initiative, will then collect the bags and ensure that they are in good condition before redistributing them to shoppers at each of the selected outlets.
A recent study by the Singapore Environment Council found that some 820 million plastic bags are taken from supermarkets here every year.
ZWSG manager Pek Hai Lin at the launch of the initiative, said that most plastic bags are incinerated – a process that increases carbon emissions.
Another study commissioned by the National Environment Agency found that using one reusable bag for an entire year is estimated to save 125 single-use plastic bags.
“It is the mindset of the population that they are entitled to use plastic bags which needs to be changed,” said Mr Narayanan S.R., who was shopping at Kallang Wave Mall’s FairPrice Xtra.
But fellow shopper Mr Yang, who declined to give his full name and former occupation, thinks that the initiative will not be effective, as people will still need to use plastic bags eventually such as for disposing garbage.
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Source: The Straits Times, 4 July 2019