However, there were others who were of the view that the charge should be delayed, given that livelihoods were still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as rising inflation.
Many respondents supported the proposal to require supermarket operators to track and publicly disclose information on the number of bags issued, the amount of charge proceeds collected, and how the charge proceeds are used. Add your comment to start the conversation. This International Day for , Transforming Innovation for Sustainability, People: Movers and shakers in sustainability, Nature-based solutions in Indonesia: the power of nature, Unlocking Capital for Sustainability 2022: The role of sustainable finance in a disrupted world, study by the Singapore Environment Council. Supermarket operators with an annual turnover of less than S$100 million and other retailers can voluntarily charge for bags, just as many retailers are already doing. This article was first published in Seedly. After NTUC Fairprice implements its surcharge, some of us might switch to buying trash bags or bin liners from the supermarket instead. Readers keen to provide feedback on the guidelines can do so from Thursday to Feb 17 at this website. Therefore, replacing disposable plastic bags with paper or biodegradable plastic alternatives will not result in a better environmental outcome. Some companies are trying to change Singapores predilection for plastic by encouraging customers to BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag. Timely to get hawkers, schools to use less disposable plastic items, Why elitism in Singapore exists & how to change it, The Case For Mandatory Eldercare Leave In Singapore, What Finding Dory Teaches Us About Protecting Our Oceans. 22. The extra effort will pay off in additional savings in the long run! This was my concern as well initially. NEA seeks your views on the proposal for supermarket operators to be required to track and publicly disclose information on the number of bags they issue, the amount of charge proceeds they collect, and how they use the charge proceeds. The move to charge for plastic bags has proven to be successful in many other countries. Reaching everyone for active citizenry @ home, Disposable Carrier Bag Charge at Supermarkets.
But lets compare it to a reusable bag, which costs 90 cents but can be reused throughout the year.
Public feedback on the newguidelines are now being sought through Reach, the Government's feedback unit. Receive our weekly REACH Bytes e-newsletter and be updated on the latest REACH events and public consultations. The National Environment Agency (NEA) is proposing that from next year, supermarkets charge 5 to 10 Singapore cents per bag. 19. The topics currently put up for feedback are the proposed charging model, amount to be charged, coverage of the scheme, and the implementation timeline. Pope Francis on Friday was to fly to Nunavut, the territory that covers most of the Canadian Arctic, on his final stop in a landmark tour apologizing for the abuse of Indigenous children in Catholic-run schools.
NEA is proposing for the mandatory plastic bag charge at supermarkets to take effect by the first half of 2023. Let us help you break the numbers down and tell you some other more cost-efficient options!
Keeping the minimum charge low will help moderate the cost impact. Whether to apply bag the charge to online purchases Some also suggested publicising the information at supermarket outlets, websites, and media channels; and collating the information on a government website for education and awareness.
Mr Nate Tjoeng, 39, an events planner, saidthe chargemaynot be enough to reduce waste. This would also discourage shoppers from taking many bags and double-bagging grocery items. No. This means that if a shopper needs disposable carrier bags, they will be charged a standard amount per transaction, regardless of how many bags they need. Bags used for carrying prescription medicines.
Want to do your part for the environment? Proposed charging model One estimate suggests that Singaporeans consume 13 plastic bags a day. NEA will raise these suggestions with the relevant parties. Climate change is pushing more countries closer to war: report, Philippine president Marcos: 'Renewable energy is top of climate agenda', 24 hours with mangrove specialist Daniel Friess.
Proposed Charging Model Charge Per Bag
However, others supported extending the requirement to all supermarkets or retailers as a more effective way to change consumer behaviour.
As customers do not have the option of using their own bags for online grocery purchases, and have little say on the number of bags used to package their purchases, no charge is proposed for such purchases. Quoting her: Its not just about to charge or not to charge (for)plastic bags. Spen, I am not a morning person so waking up early for t, National University of Singapores Students Against Violation of the Earth, Position Paper on the reduction of single-use plastic disposables in Singapore. 11 NEA seeks your views on a proposed minimum charge of 5 to 10 cents per bag. Stipulating a minimum charge, as opposed to a standard charge, also provides flexibility to supermarket operators who may wish to charge a higher amount. However, such a per-transaction model may encourage shoppers to take more bags than they need. What does true sustainability look like in the hotel industry? Many objected to this plastic bag charge arguing that education alone is sufficient; this move will negatively impact the lower income residents in Singapore and thatSingaporeans require plastic bags to storetheir waste. A summary of the feedback on the proposals as well as issues raised, and NEAs responses, are set out below. When developing the policy proposal for the plastic bag charge at supermarkets, NEA consulted over 1,000 stakeholders and studied the experiences of other countries.
NEA has noted these views and proposed that the charge come into effect in mid-2023 to address the abovementioned concerns about livelihoods and inflation, while allowing operators sufficient time to prepare for implementation. NEA seeks your views on the proposal that the mandatory disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets takes effect by the first half of 2023. Incentives can change attitudes. Aim bubble wrap).
10.
14. Eco-Business asks two hospitality executives , Climate-linked strife now ravishing Mali, Venezuela and Syria could play out in vulnerable countries such as Indonesia, India, , In his first state of the nation address, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos, Jr said the government will prioritise , Coastal forests trap huge volumes of greenhouse gases and protect people from flood risks. Proposed Coverage of Supermarket Operators Supermarket Operators with Annual Revenue Above A Stipulated Threshold
This is to strike a balance between nudging shoppers to reduce the number of disposable carrier bags they take and minimising the cost impact on shoppers who make large purchases and lower-income households, NEA said on the proposal. The public consultation closed on 17 February 2022.
Spanish prosecutors said Friday they would seek a prison sentence of more than eight years against global music superstar Shakira, after she rejected a plea deal on accusations of tax evasion. 1.
2 In 2019 and 2020, households and trade premises in Singapore threw away about 200,000 tonnes of disposables annually, which is enough to fill up about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The spokesman for Zero Waste SG, the environmental charity thatreleased a plastic bag charge policy recommendation paper in 2016, said: Implementing a mandatory bag charge is a much-anticipated step and is in line with a global movement to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags.. This is equivalent to 450plastic bags per person each year! Companies such as NTUC FairPrice and H&M charge a small fee for customers who wish to use a plastic bag. Disposable Carrier Bag Charge at Supermarkets NEA seeks your views on the proposal not to apply the disposable carrier bag charge to online grocery purchases.
However, when shoppers see that they will be charged for a bag, they are more likely to pause and reconsider their need for the bag.
As demand for green accommodation grows, environmentally sustainable practices in hotels are becoming more commonplace but so , Can the hotels sector, traditionally resource-intensive and wasteful, reinvent itself and go green? Environmental groups have been calling for a charge on disposable bags for years. Under the charging model, supermarket operators would stipulate a minimum charge per bag, with the charge proportional to the number of disposable carrier bags taken. The charge would only apply to purchases made at supermarket outlets and not online grocery purchases.
Plastic waste is also the most common type of waste disposed at the incineration plants in Singapore, followed by food waste and paper. They could also look at reducing the amount of waste they dispose of, for example, by reducing food waste and recycling more. 3. This site is protected by reCAPTHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. For a start, NEA proposed to make it a requirement for supermarket operators with an annual turnover of more than $100 million to implement a disposable carrier bag charge. 17.
This was proposed in the National Environment Agencys (NEA)new guidelines on a disposable carrier bag charge announced on Thursday (Jan 27). 6. 13. Assuming you use at least three plastic bags per supermarket visit, you will spend an estimated 10 cents on plastic bags. 202120748H. ExxonMobil's profits nearly quadrupled to $17.9 billion in results released Friday that underscored the elevated state of oil and natural gas prices amid commodity market tightness.
Other Issues and Suggestions Raised
Such a nudge strikes a balance between encouraging shoppers to reduce the number of disposable carrier bags they take and minimising the cost impact on shoppers who make large purchases and lower-income households. However, it may not be financially sustainable for supermarkets and retailers. 27.
The NEA crafted the guidelines announced on Thursday after consultation with over 1,000 stakeholders on various platforms and through focus group discussions, as well as looking at case studies from abroad.
The guidelinesare intended to discourage the excessive consumption of disposable bags and promote the use of reusable ones.
11. NEA thanks all respondents for taking the time to submit their valuable feedback. And those who are passionate about the environment should come out and lead by exampleThe Government should look at education; look at bigger issues on the environment, not just plastic bags, per se..
But what about expenses for disposable plastics we have been incurring without realising? Suggestions to Provide Biodegradable or Paper Bags Instead of Plastic Bags
We have a team of journalists dedicated to providing independent, well-researched stories from around the region on the topics that matter to you. NEA will also develop guidelines for supermarkets on reducing packaging for the delivery of online purchases. The views expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of any organization I am part of. Supermarket Operators Profiteering from the Charge How about if we compare it to getting a reusable grocery bag from Fairprice, which costs 90 cents ? There are also practical issues to consider for reusable packaging like returnable crates, such as potentially longer delivery times and ensuring that the crates are returned by customers. But what does this mean for all of us as consumers? A disposable bag charge in the United Kingdom achieved between 70 to 95% reduction in the number of disposable bags used. The additional expenses for using plastic bags in NTUC are an excellent example of how plastics can incur other costs. NEA also agrees that the issue of packaging for online grocery purchases extends beyond disposable carrier bags. Its astubborn habit to kick. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Similarly, another Initiative by the National University of Singapores Students Against Violation of the Earth (NUS SAVE) club to implement a 10-cent plastic bag tax since 2010, have resulted in much success. Eco-Business took to the streetsand to the supermarketto get a feel for Singaporeans sentiments on plastic bags. 28. You can rack up a pretty massive amount after getting takeout from there after a while. As the recommendation paper highlights, some plastic bags can be exempted from the plastic bag chargedue tohygiene and safety reasons.
The threshold stipulated should cover a majority of supermarkets in Singapore. 3 NEA had previously commissioned a life-cycle assessment study on carrier bags and food packaging in Singapores context. Furthermore, selected NTUC Fairprice supermarkets will be charging 20 cents for plastic bags too.
Those who suggested a larger amount felt that this would create more awareness and engender a rapid and greater change in behaviour. As such, the potential environmental benefits of using biodegradable materials (e.g. There is generally strong public support for these voluntary initiatives due to a growing awareness of the need to, and desire to curb excessive consumption of disposable carrier bags.
What are the best job portals in Singapore for Millennials ? 13 NEA seeks your views on the proposal not to apply the disposable carrier bag charge to online grocery purchases. Some shops have already been charging consumers forplastic bags. But too many of them arent good for the environment. Copyright 2021 SPH Media Limited. The disposable bag charge will not remove access to disposable bags.
Indigenous women briefly protested as Pope Francis celebrated mass during his visit to Canada on Thursday, demanding that he retract centuries-old Church doctrine that empowered Europeans to colonize non-Christian native lands. NEA had previously commissioned a life-cycle assessment study on carrier bags and food packaging in Singapores context. During his trip to France to meet President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is staying at a lavish chateau dubbed "the world's most expensive home" when he purchased it in 2015. According to Zero Wast SG, about 30-70% of plastics waste disposed in Singapore are single-use plastic disposables such as plastic takeaway containers and cups, plastic utensils, plastic bags, and plastic bottles. Bag charges in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and the Netherlands reduced the consumption of disposable bags by about 60 to 90 per cent.
It contributes to the wasting of nonrenewable oil resources and generation of carbon dioxide emissions from incineration, Littering of bags also harms animals and humans by becoming a breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and posing harm to the marine lives when the bags ends up in the sea. SINGAPORE Singapore on Thursday, January 27, recommended supermarkets start charging for disposable carrier bags, a move aimed at slashing carbon emissions in a tiny nation that produces enough annual waste to fill hundreds of Olympic-sized swimming pools. Bricked-up doorways, crumbling facades and a small group of defiant locals: one of Shanghai's oldest neighbourhoods is barely clinging to life as the city presses ahead with demolition and redevelopment plans. In the public consultation paper, two charging models were described, namely a per-bag model and a per-transaction model. 15. NTUC FairPrices CEO Seah Kian Peng also expressed that while he would not rule out charging consumers for plastic bags, the company prefers to use anincentive schemeto reduce the use of plastic bags.
paper, plant-based materials) cannot be realised in Singapore. Former All Blacks boss Sir Steve Hansen slammed New Zealand Rugby bosses on Thursday for "not doing their job" and failing to publicly back under-pressure coach Ian Foster. So-called "ultra-fast fashion" has won legions of young trend-setting fans who snap up relatively cheap clothes online amid surging inflation, but the booming genre masks darker environmental problems. Thats why the government is implementing a mandatory charge of at least $0.05 for each plastic bag used from mid-2023 onwards. PAP MP Lee Bee Wah, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Environment and Water Resources, is against the idea of charging for plastic bags.
18. Other respondents suggested a hybrid model whereby bags would be charged after a certain number were given out for free, to minimise the cost impact. The respondents who were of the view that a bag charge should be applied to online grocery shopping felt that doing so would send a consistent message, while noting that online grocery purchases have been increasing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bags without handles, such as those used to bag loose quantities of fresh or raw food (e.g.
IKEA Singapore saw a reduction of 5.34 million plastic bags in the first year. The World Bank said Friday it would not offer new funding to Sri Lanka unless the bankrupt island nation carried out "deep structural reforms" to stabilise its crashing economy. Supermarkets are frequented by the public and thus have a relatively broad reach that could nudge shoppers to foster the habit of bringing their own bag regardless of whether the shop imposes a bag charge. Discussions of this work group, which comprised 55 members of the public of diverse backgrounds, resulted in the recommendation of a charge for disposable carrier bags in January 2021. However, Zero Waste SG has addressed some of these arguments in their position paper. 24.
7 In response to the Citizens Workgroups recommendation, the Government proposes to make it a legal requirement by the first half of 2023 for large supermarket operators to charge for disposable carrier bags issued at their checkout counters, regardless of the type of material used for the bag. Rather than spending on bin liners, why not spend that money to get yourself a washable bin instead?
This has resulted in 10 million bags saved in 2015, with a 10% decrease in usage of plastic bags year-on-year.
The agency is seeking feedback on the guidelines, which are part of governmental recommendations to cut waste generated in Singapore.
You will be charged 20 cents for every transaction, and within a year, you will be spending $4.80 on bags alone! By not doing anything to resolve this issue and adding to the wasteful consumption of plastic disposables, the people down the road who suffers the consequences is our younger generation. Even so, Singapore residents do use a lot of them. Summary of proposed details for feedback. 20. 21. TLDR: everyone is free to s, Been working on an exciting project recently. I hope that this blog entry has helped addressed some of your objections and concerns regarding the move to charge for plastic bags.
Such efforts led the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE) and NEA to convene a work group in September 2020 to address the excessive consumption of disposable items in Singapore. However, upon listening to what Zero Waste SG explained, I realized that this does not have to be the case. Need for Disposable Bags for Rubbish Disposal Consider supporting our brand of purposeful journalism with a donation and keep Eco-Business free for all to read. 12 NEA seeks your views on the proposal to subject supermarket operators with annual revenue that is above a stipulated threshold to the requirements of charging for bags at their outlets . Further study and consultation would be needed to understand the implications of charging for disposable carrier bags, as companies may shift toward using other types of packaging for delivery, which may not necessarily be better for the environment.
In addition, supermarket operators here that had implemented rebates for customers who brought their own bags and spent a minimum amount per transaction, had discontinued the rebate scheme citing its limited effectiveness in reducing disposable carrier bag usage. A rebate might not be as effective as a charge, as the shopper could continue with their usual shopping habit of using disposable carrier bags without any consequence. How I keep my utilities bill below $50 every month? Proposed Charging Amount 5 to 10 Cents Per Bag Impact on Lower-Income Households Conclusion Climate action and environmental protection is a collective responsibility, and the disposable carrier bag charge will encourage all Singaporeans to adopt sustainable consumption habits in their daily lives.
Charging per bag is an equitable and effective charging model, as the amount paid will be proportional to the number of disposable carrier bags taken. Bags used for carrying food without packaging, Bags used for carrying frozen or chilled food, Bags used for carrying food in non-airtight or unsealed packaging.
The reusable bag is worth less than two and a half months worth of plastic bags, and you can continue to keep using it afterwards. "Inflation is making it difficult for people, especially in rural areas, to save more and allocate to gold," Somasundaram PR, regional chief executive officer of WGC's Indian operations, told Reuters.
Proposed tracking and reporting of information Thats half of what you spend on bags in the supermarket!
The per-bag charging model is also adopted by most, if not all, other countries or cities in the world that charge for disposable bags. NEA agrees that mandatory declarations will ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the proceeds. Please have a look at it as it is super informative and interesting. 15 NEA seeks your views on the proposal that the mandatory disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets takes effect by the first half of 2023. Residents should continue with the responsible practice of bagging waste before disposal. Find articles like thisthere. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood) that is sold without packaging, will not be covered under the mandatory charge. Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. while there has been an 86% reduction in plastic bag use on the NUS campus.
The company introduced the Green Rewards scheme to reward customers who bring their own reusable bags with a 10-cent rebate for purchases above $10. Based on feedback from our industry consultations, it could be confusing and operationally challenging for supermarket operators to implement both a charge per disposable carrier bag and a rebate for customers who bring their own bags.
In MSE and NEAs response to the recommendations, MSE and NEA agreed to develop an appropriate charging model for a disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets. Plastic bags take up to 500 years to decompose.
We would like to speak to people in Britain, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who experienced partition or whose family may have been based in India before or during that time Muslim refugees sit on the roof of an overcrowded train near New Delhi as they try to flee India in September, 1947. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore.
Getting a reusable container, which can be as cheap as $5, would be a better alternative, and it doesnt cost as much as using disposable containers for a year! In my personal experience, Ive also started to notice the problem of wasteful plastic consumption when I joined the workforce two years ago. Furthermore, different supermarket operators have different customer profiles and considerations. NEA is mindful of the potential impact the bag charge may have on lower-income households. Proposed Tracking and Public Disclosure of Information Number of Bags Issued, Amount of Charge Proceeds Collected, and Usage of Proceeds
A bag charge in Singapore will contribute towards the objective in the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to reduce the amount of waste to landfill per capita per day by 20 per cent by 2026 and 30 per cent by 2030. Many supported a charge of 5c or 10c per bag, with some suggesting amounts greater than 10c. Bin liners cost at least $1.20 for a pack of 25. A 2018 study done by the non-profit Singapore Environment Council found that shoppers take 820 million disposable carrier bags from supermarkets a year, an average of 146 bags a person. A per-transaction charge could encourage overconsumption as it is a flat fee regardless of the number of bags used.
9. A small charge may not discourage consumers but a reusable bag can be made affordable and convenient, he said. Some noted that cardboard boxes were often used for delivery and hence items could be packed into the boxes without being individually bagged, while others recognised that focusing on disposable carrier bags alone may not suffice as other types of packaging are commonly used in delivery, such as cardboard boxes and protective packaging (e.g. Feel free to check out these supermarket discounts for senior citizens as well! Findings show that each type of packaging material results in different environmental impact such as global warming, high water consumption or land use change during their production, transportation, and disposal.
Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. The charge will not apply for online purchases.
From trash bags to gloves, there are just so many uses for plastic bags!
The 38-year-old Malaysian allegedly conspired with his compatriot to help the Singaporean and Thai couple escape from Singapore.
8. 16 We invite the public to share your views on the proposals with us. Under the guidelines, supermarkets will also need to disclose the number of bagsissued, the total amount charged for them and how they use the proceeds. World Bank refuses new funding for bankrupt Sri Lanka, Pope headed to Arctic for last leg of penitential Canada trip, Mayor of Kharkiv says nowhere in Ukraine's second city 'safe', Deal reached for generic drug to prevent HIV infection, Saudi prince stays in 'world's most expensive home' during Paris trip, Ex-All Blacks boss Hansen slams NZ Rugby for 'not doing their job', Easy targets: Drug mules fill women's jails in Hong Kong, ExxonMobil profits surge to $17.9 bn on lofty commodity prices, Alarm as Earth hits 'Overshoot Day' Thursday: NGOs, Spanish PM calls on nation to go tie-less, Inflation, price rise could dent India's gold demand in July-Dec -WGC, 'Rescind the doctrine': Indigenous protest as Pope tours Canada. Thats 25 bags every second.
Many respondents supported the proposal to require supermarket operators to track and publicly disclose information on the number of bags issued, the amount of charge proceeds collected, and how the charge proceeds are used. Add your comment to start the conversation. This International Day for , Transforming Innovation for Sustainability, People: Movers and shakers in sustainability, Nature-based solutions in Indonesia: the power of nature, Unlocking Capital for Sustainability 2022: The role of sustainable finance in a disrupted world, study by the Singapore Environment Council. Supermarket operators with an annual turnover of less than S$100 million and other retailers can voluntarily charge for bags, just as many retailers are already doing. This article was first published in Seedly. After NTUC Fairprice implements its surcharge, some of us might switch to buying trash bags or bin liners from the supermarket instead. Readers keen to provide feedback on the guidelines can do so from Thursday to Feb 17 at this website. Therefore, replacing disposable plastic bags with paper or biodegradable plastic alternatives will not result in a better environmental outcome. Some companies are trying to change Singapores predilection for plastic by encouraging customers to BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag. Timely to get hawkers, schools to use less disposable plastic items, Why elitism in Singapore exists & how to change it, The Case For Mandatory Eldercare Leave In Singapore, What Finding Dory Teaches Us About Protecting Our Oceans. 22. The extra effort will pay off in additional savings in the long run! This was my concern as well initially. NEA seeks your views on the proposal for supermarket operators to be required to track and publicly disclose information on the number of bags they issue, the amount of charge proceeds they collect, and how they use the charge proceeds. The move to charge for plastic bags has proven to be successful in many other countries. Reaching everyone for active citizenry @ home, Disposable Carrier Bag Charge at Supermarkets.
But lets compare it to a reusable bag, which costs 90 cents but can be reused throughout the year.
Public feedback on the newguidelines are now being sought through Reach, the Government's feedback unit. Receive our weekly REACH Bytes e-newsletter and be updated on the latest REACH events and public consultations. The National Environment Agency (NEA) is proposing that from next year, supermarkets charge 5 to 10 Singapore cents per bag. 19. The topics currently put up for feedback are the proposed charging model, amount to be charged, coverage of the scheme, and the implementation timeline. Pope Francis on Friday was to fly to Nunavut, the territory that covers most of the Canadian Arctic, on his final stop in a landmark tour apologizing for the abuse of Indigenous children in Catholic-run schools.
NEA is proposing for the mandatory plastic bag charge at supermarkets to take effect by the first half of 2023. Let us help you break the numbers down and tell you some other more cost-efficient options!
Keeping the minimum charge low will help moderate the cost impact. Whether to apply bag the charge to online purchases Some also suggested publicising the information at supermarket outlets, websites, and media channels; and collating the information on a government website for education and awareness.
Mr Nate Tjoeng, 39, an events planner, saidthe chargemaynot be enough to reduce waste. This would also discourage shoppers from taking many bags and double-bagging grocery items. No. This means that if a shopper needs disposable carrier bags, they will be charged a standard amount per transaction, regardless of how many bags they need. Bags used for carrying prescription medicines. Want to do your part for the environment? Proposed charging model One estimate suggests that Singaporeans consume 13 plastic bags a day. NEA will raise these suggestions with the relevant parties. Climate change is pushing more countries closer to war: report, Philippine president Marcos: 'Renewable energy is top of climate agenda', 24 hours with mangrove specialist Daniel Friess.
Proposed Charging Model Charge Per Bag
However, others supported extending the requirement to all supermarkets or retailers as a more effective way to change consumer behaviour.
As customers do not have the option of using their own bags for online grocery purchases, and have little say on the number of bags used to package their purchases, no charge is proposed for such purchases. Quoting her: Its not just about to charge or not to charge (for)plastic bags. Spen, I am not a morning person so waking up early for t, National University of Singapores Students Against Violation of the Earth, Position Paper on the reduction of single-use plastic disposables in Singapore. 11 NEA seeks your views on a proposed minimum charge of 5 to 10 cents per bag. Stipulating a minimum charge, as opposed to a standard charge, also provides flexibility to supermarket operators who may wish to charge a higher amount. However, such a per-transaction model may encourage shoppers to take more bags than they need. What does true sustainability look like in the hotel industry? Many objected to this plastic bag charge arguing that education alone is sufficient; this move will negatively impact the lower income residents in Singapore and thatSingaporeans require plastic bags to storetheir waste. A summary of the feedback on the proposals as well as issues raised, and NEAs responses, are set out below. When developing the policy proposal for the plastic bag charge at supermarkets, NEA consulted over 1,000 stakeholders and studied the experiences of other countries.
NEA has noted these views and proposed that the charge come into effect in mid-2023 to address the abovementioned concerns about livelihoods and inflation, while allowing operators sufficient time to prepare for implementation. NEA seeks your views on the proposal that the mandatory disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets takes effect by the first half of 2023. Incentives can change attitudes. Aim bubble wrap).
10.
14. Eco-Business asks two hospitality executives , Climate-linked strife now ravishing Mali, Venezuela and Syria could play out in vulnerable countries such as Indonesia, India, , In his first state of the nation address, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos, Jr said the government will prioritise , Coastal forests trap huge volumes of greenhouse gases and protect people from flood risks. Proposed Coverage of Supermarket Operators Supermarket Operators with Annual Revenue Above A Stipulated Threshold
This is to strike a balance between nudging shoppers to reduce the number of disposable carrier bags they take and minimising the cost impact on shoppers who make large purchases and lower-income households, NEA said on the proposal. The public consultation closed on 17 February 2022.
Spanish prosecutors said Friday they would seek a prison sentence of more than eight years against global music superstar Shakira, after she rejected a plea deal on accusations of tax evasion. 1.
2 In 2019 and 2020, households and trade premises in Singapore threw away about 200,000 tonnes of disposables annually, which is enough to fill up about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The spokesman for Zero Waste SG, the environmental charity thatreleased a plastic bag charge policy recommendation paper in 2016, said: Implementing a mandatory bag charge is a much-anticipated step and is in line with a global movement to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags.. This is equivalent to 450plastic bags per person each year! Companies such as NTUC FairPrice and H&M charge a small fee for customers who wish to use a plastic bag. Disposable Carrier Bag Charge at Supermarkets NEA seeks your views on the proposal not to apply the disposable carrier bag charge to online grocery purchases.
However, when shoppers see that they will be charged for a bag, they are more likely to pause and reconsider their need for the bag.
As demand for green accommodation grows, environmentally sustainable practices in hotels are becoming more commonplace but so , Can the hotels sector, traditionally resource-intensive and wasteful, reinvent itself and go green? Environmental groups have been calling for a charge on disposable bags for years. Under the charging model, supermarket operators would stipulate a minimum charge per bag, with the charge proportional to the number of disposable carrier bags taken. The charge would only apply to purchases made at supermarket outlets and not online grocery purchases.
Plastic waste is also the most common type of waste disposed at the incineration plants in Singapore, followed by food waste and paper. They could also look at reducing the amount of waste they dispose of, for example, by reducing food waste and recycling more. 3. This site is protected by reCAPTHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. For a start, NEA proposed to make it a requirement for supermarket operators with an annual turnover of more than $100 million to implement a disposable carrier bag charge. 17.
This was proposed in the National Environment Agencys (NEA)new guidelines on a disposable carrier bag charge announced on Thursday (Jan 27). 6. 13. Assuming you use at least three plastic bags per supermarket visit, you will spend an estimated 10 cents on plastic bags. 202120748H. ExxonMobil's profits nearly quadrupled to $17.9 billion in results released Friday that underscored the elevated state of oil and natural gas prices amid commodity market tightness.
Other Issues and Suggestions Raised
Such a nudge strikes a balance between encouraging shoppers to reduce the number of disposable carrier bags they take and minimising the cost impact on shoppers who make large purchases and lower-income households. However, it may not be financially sustainable for supermarkets and retailers. 27.
The NEA crafted the guidelines announced on Thursday after consultation with over 1,000 stakeholders on various platforms and through focus group discussions, as well as looking at case studies from abroad.
The guidelinesare intended to discourage the excessive consumption of disposable bags and promote the use of reusable ones.
11. NEA thanks all respondents for taking the time to submit their valuable feedback. And those who are passionate about the environment should come out and lead by exampleThe Government should look at education; look at bigger issues on the environment, not just plastic bags, per se..
But what about expenses for disposable plastics we have been incurring without realising? Suggestions to Provide Biodegradable or Paper Bags Instead of Plastic Bags
We have a team of journalists dedicated to providing independent, well-researched stories from around the region on the topics that matter to you. NEA will also develop guidelines for supermarkets on reducing packaging for the delivery of online purchases. The views expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of any organization I am part of. Supermarket Operators Profiteering from the Charge How about if we compare it to getting a reusable grocery bag from Fairprice, which costs 90 cents ? There are also practical issues to consider for reusable packaging like returnable crates, such as potentially longer delivery times and ensuring that the crates are returned by customers. But what does this mean for all of us as consumers? A disposable bag charge in the United Kingdom achieved between 70 to 95% reduction in the number of disposable bags used. The additional expenses for using plastic bags in NTUC are an excellent example of how plastics can incur other costs. NEA also agrees that the issue of packaging for online grocery purchases extends beyond disposable carrier bags. Its astubborn habit to kick. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months. Similarly, another Initiative by the National University of Singapores Students Against Violation of the Earth (NUS SAVE) club to implement a 10-cent plastic bag tax since 2010, have resulted in much success. Eco-Business took to the streetsand to the supermarketto get a feel for Singaporeans sentiments on plastic bags. 28. You can rack up a pretty massive amount after getting takeout from there after a while. As the recommendation paper highlights, some plastic bags can be exempted from the plastic bag chargedue tohygiene and safety reasons.
The threshold stipulated should cover a majority of supermarkets in Singapore. 3 NEA had previously commissioned a life-cycle assessment study on carrier bags and food packaging in Singapores context. Furthermore, selected NTUC Fairprice supermarkets will be charging 20 cents for plastic bags too.
Those who suggested a larger amount felt that this would create more awareness and engender a rapid and greater change in behaviour. As such, the potential environmental benefits of using biodegradable materials (e.g. There is generally strong public support for these voluntary initiatives due to a growing awareness of the need to, and desire to curb excessive consumption of disposable carrier bags. What are the best job portals in Singapore for Millennials ? 13 NEA seeks your views on the proposal not to apply the disposable carrier bag charge to online grocery purchases. Some shops have already been charging consumers forplastic bags. But too many of them arent good for the environment. Copyright 2021 SPH Media Limited. The disposable bag charge will not remove access to disposable bags.
Indigenous women briefly protested as Pope Francis celebrated mass during his visit to Canada on Thursday, demanding that he retract centuries-old Church doctrine that empowered Europeans to colonize non-Christian native lands. NEA had previously commissioned a life-cycle assessment study on carrier bags and food packaging in Singapores context. During his trip to France to meet President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is staying at a lavish chateau dubbed "the world's most expensive home" when he purchased it in 2015. According to Zero Wast SG, about 30-70% of plastics waste disposed in Singapore are single-use plastic disposables such as plastic takeaway containers and cups, plastic utensils, plastic bags, and plastic bottles. Bag charges in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and the Netherlands reduced the consumption of disposable bags by about 60 to 90 per cent.
It contributes to the wasting of nonrenewable oil resources and generation of carbon dioxide emissions from incineration, Littering of bags also harms animals and humans by becoming a breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and posing harm to the marine lives when the bags ends up in the sea. SINGAPORE Singapore on Thursday, January 27, recommended supermarkets start charging for disposable carrier bags, a move aimed at slashing carbon emissions in a tiny nation that produces enough annual waste to fill hundreds of Olympic-sized swimming pools. Bricked-up doorways, crumbling facades and a small group of defiant locals: one of Shanghai's oldest neighbourhoods is barely clinging to life as the city presses ahead with demolition and redevelopment plans. In the public consultation paper, two charging models were described, namely a per-bag model and a per-transaction model. 15. NTUC FairPrices CEO Seah Kian Peng also expressed that while he would not rule out charging consumers for plastic bags, the company prefers to use anincentive schemeto reduce the use of plastic bags.
paper, plant-based materials) cannot be realised in Singapore. Former All Blacks boss Sir Steve Hansen slammed New Zealand Rugby bosses on Thursday for "not doing their job" and failing to publicly back under-pressure coach Ian Foster. So-called "ultra-fast fashion" has won legions of young trend-setting fans who snap up relatively cheap clothes online amid surging inflation, but the booming genre masks darker environmental problems. Thats why the government is implementing a mandatory charge of at least $0.05 for each plastic bag used from mid-2023 onwards. PAP MP Lee Bee Wah, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Environment and Water Resources, is against the idea of charging for plastic bags.
18. Other respondents suggested a hybrid model whereby bags would be charged after a certain number were given out for free, to minimise the cost impact. The respondents who were of the view that a bag charge should be applied to online grocery shopping felt that doing so would send a consistent message, while noting that online grocery purchases have been increasing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bags without handles, such as those used to bag loose quantities of fresh or raw food (e.g.
IKEA Singapore saw a reduction of 5.34 million plastic bags in the first year. The World Bank said Friday it would not offer new funding to Sri Lanka unless the bankrupt island nation carried out "deep structural reforms" to stabilise its crashing economy. Supermarkets are frequented by the public and thus have a relatively broad reach that could nudge shoppers to foster the habit of bringing their own bag regardless of whether the shop imposes a bag charge. Discussions of this work group, which comprised 55 members of the public of diverse backgrounds, resulted in the recommendation of a charge for disposable carrier bags in January 2021. However, Zero Waste SG has addressed some of these arguments in their position paper. 24.
7 In response to the Citizens Workgroups recommendation, the Government proposes to make it a legal requirement by the first half of 2023 for large supermarket operators to charge for disposable carrier bags issued at their checkout counters, regardless of the type of material used for the bag. Rather than spending on bin liners, why not spend that money to get yourself a washable bin instead?
This has resulted in 10 million bags saved in 2015, with a 10% decrease in usage of plastic bags year-on-year.
The agency is seeking feedback on the guidelines, which are part of governmental recommendations to cut waste generated in Singapore.
You will be charged 20 cents for every transaction, and within a year, you will be spending $4.80 on bags alone! By not doing anything to resolve this issue and adding to the wasteful consumption of plastic disposables, the people down the road who suffers the consequences is our younger generation. Even so, Singapore residents do use a lot of them. Summary of proposed details for feedback. 20. 21. TLDR: everyone is free to s, Been working on an exciting project recently. I hope that this blog entry has helped addressed some of your objections and concerns regarding the move to charge for plastic bags.
Such efforts led the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE) and NEA to convene a work group in September 2020 to address the excessive consumption of disposable items in Singapore. However, upon listening to what Zero Waste SG explained, I realized that this does not have to be the case. Need for Disposable Bags for Rubbish Disposal Consider supporting our brand of purposeful journalism with a donation and keep Eco-Business free for all to read. 12 NEA seeks your views on the proposal to subject supermarket operators with annual revenue that is above a stipulated threshold to the requirements of charging for bags at their outlets . Further study and consultation would be needed to understand the implications of charging for disposable carrier bags, as companies may shift toward using other types of packaging for delivery, which may not necessarily be better for the environment.
In addition, supermarket operators here that had implemented rebates for customers who brought their own bags and spent a minimum amount per transaction, had discontinued the rebate scheme citing its limited effectiveness in reducing disposable carrier bag usage. A rebate might not be as effective as a charge, as the shopper could continue with their usual shopping habit of using disposable carrier bags without any consequence. How I keep my utilities bill below $50 every month? Proposed Charging Amount 5 to 10 Cents Per Bag Impact on Lower-Income Households Conclusion Climate action and environmental protection is a collective responsibility, and the disposable carrier bag charge will encourage all Singaporeans to adopt sustainable consumption habits in their daily lives.
Charging per bag is an equitable and effective charging model, as the amount paid will be proportional to the number of disposable carrier bags taken. Bags used for carrying food without packaging, Bags used for carrying frozen or chilled food, Bags used for carrying food in non-airtight or unsealed packaging.
The reusable bag is worth less than two and a half months worth of plastic bags, and you can continue to keep using it afterwards. "Inflation is making it difficult for people, especially in rural areas, to save more and allocate to gold," Somasundaram PR, regional chief executive officer of WGC's Indian operations, told Reuters.
Proposed tracking and reporting of information Thats half of what you spend on bags in the supermarket!
The per-bag charging model is also adopted by most, if not all, other countries or cities in the world that charge for disposable bags. NEA agrees that mandatory declarations will ensure transparency and accountability in the use of the proceeds. Please have a look at it as it is super informative and interesting. 15 NEA seeks your views on the proposal that the mandatory disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets takes effect by the first half of 2023. Residents should continue with the responsible practice of bagging waste before disposal. Find articles like thisthere. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood) that is sold without packaging, will not be covered under the mandatory charge. Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. while there has been an 86% reduction in plastic bag use on the NUS campus.
The company introduced the Green Rewards scheme to reward customers who bring their own reusable bags with a 10-cent rebate for purchases above $10. Based on feedback from our industry consultations, it could be confusing and operationally challenging for supermarket operators to implement both a charge per disposable carrier bag and a rebate for customers who bring their own bags.
In MSE and NEAs response to the recommendations, MSE and NEA agreed to develop an appropriate charging model for a disposable carrier bag charge at supermarkets. Plastic bags take up to 500 years to decompose.
We would like to speak to people in Britain, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who experienced partition or whose family may have been based in India before or during that time Muslim refugees sit on the roof of an overcrowded train near New Delhi as they try to flee India in September, 1947. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore.
Getting a reusable container, which can be as cheap as $5, would be a better alternative, and it doesnt cost as much as using disposable containers for a year! In my personal experience, Ive also started to notice the problem of wasteful plastic consumption when I joined the workforce two years ago. Furthermore, different supermarket operators have different customer profiles and considerations. NEA is mindful of the potential impact the bag charge may have on lower-income households. Proposed Tracking and Public Disclosure of Information Number of Bags Issued, Amount of Charge Proceeds Collected, and Usage of Proceeds
A bag charge in Singapore will contribute towards the objective in the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to reduce the amount of waste to landfill per capita per day by 20 per cent by 2026 and 30 per cent by 2030. Many supported a charge of 5c or 10c per bag, with some suggesting amounts greater than 10c. Bin liners cost at least $1.20 for a pack of 25. A 2018 study done by the non-profit Singapore Environment Council found that shoppers take 820 million disposable carrier bags from supermarkets a year, an average of 146 bags a person. A per-transaction charge could encourage overconsumption as it is a flat fee regardless of the number of bags used.
9. A small charge may not discourage consumers but a reusable bag can be made affordable and convenient, he said. Some noted that cardboard boxes were often used for delivery and hence items could be packed into the boxes without being individually bagged, while others recognised that focusing on disposable carrier bags alone may not suffice as other types of packaging are commonly used in delivery, such as cardboard boxes and protective packaging (e.g. Feel free to check out these supermarket discounts for senior citizens as well! Findings show that each type of packaging material results in different environmental impact such as global warming, high water consumption or land use change during their production, transportation, and disposal.
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From trash bags to gloves, there are just so many uses for plastic bags!
The 38-year-old Malaysian allegedly conspired with his compatriot to help the Singaporean and Thai couple escape from Singapore.
8. 16 We invite the public to share your views on the proposals with us. Under the guidelines, supermarkets will also need to disclose the number of bagsissued, the total amount charged for them and how they use the proceeds. World Bank refuses new funding for bankrupt Sri Lanka, Pope headed to Arctic for last leg of penitential Canada trip, Mayor of Kharkiv says nowhere in Ukraine's second city 'safe', Deal reached for generic drug to prevent HIV infection, Saudi prince stays in 'world's most expensive home' during Paris trip, Ex-All Blacks boss Hansen slams NZ Rugby for 'not doing their job', Easy targets: Drug mules fill women's jails in Hong Kong, ExxonMobil profits surge to $17.9 bn on lofty commodity prices, Alarm as Earth hits 'Overshoot Day' Thursday: NGOs, Spanish PM calls on nation to go tie-less, Inflation, price rise could dent India's gold demand in July-Dec -WGC, 'Rescind the doctrine': Indigenous protest as Pope tours Canada. Thats 25 bags every second.