Dear readers, yesterday (3 Jul 23) was the first day that supermarkets rolled out the plastic bag charges. Hence, I was not correct that yesterday was a watershed moment for just Singapore’s savings scene (find out why here). It was a watershed day as finally, all have to pay for use of plastic bags in supermarkets here.
This morning, I went to a supermarket to purchase a bunch of bananas. I was still unaware or forgot about the plastic bag charges until I saw a notice at the self check-out counter that customers have to scan some barcode if they need plastic bags (and they have to pay for the plastic bags at 5 cent per bag).
Also, even without my glancing at the notice, I already saw the silhouette of a supermarket staff standing some distance from me already, watching me like a hawk, seeming ready to pounce on me if I do not pay for a plastic bag.
At last, I walked off with the bunch of bananas in my hand, like a monkey, clutching its treasured food. I saved 5 cents and was not too bothered about what other onlookers would think when they look at me.
To me, 5 cents per plastic bag is not too high a charge but could serve as a right start to motivate consumers to use fewer plastic bags. Some consumers may not mind paying for the plastic bags as paying for GST and service charge alone for a simple meal in a restaurant can already translate into paying for at least 100 plastic bags (based on $5 service charge). Hence, all shoppers must have the right mindset by using own bags for supermarket items as much as possible.