FairPrice previously unveiled a month-long trial from Sep. 16, 2019, to dis-incentivise shoppers' use of plastic bags.

The initiative to encourage consumers to bring their own reusable bags was implemented at seven selected FairPrice outlets, which included some Cheers, FairPrice Xpress and FairPrice Finest outlets.

Shoppers had to pay an extra S$0.10 for plastic bags per transaction at selected Cheers and FairPrice Xpress stores, while the other participating FairPrice stores charged S$0.20 per transaction.

Proceeds from the charge would then go to charity.

During the trial, FairPrice also conducted a survey to understand consumer behaviour and gather feedback on the initiative.

Extending "No Plastic Bag" initiative

On Nov. 4, FairPrice announced that it would be extending the month-long trial to one year, starting from Nov. 11 onwards.

This time, due to the "successful" trial and "positive feedback", the "No Plastic Bag" initiative would be extended to 25 outlets islandwide.

This includes 12 FairPrice, FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra and 13 FairPrice Xpress and Cheers outlets, according to a FairPrice press release.

Shoppers will have to pay S$0.20 at the former, and S$0.10 at the latter outlets.

Proceeds from the charge will go to the "sponsorship of environmental and community causes".

A full list of the selected outlets can be found here.

Reactions to the trial "positive"

To assess consumers' receptiveness to the plastic bag-free movement and to identify their Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) habits, FairPrice carried out a consumer sentiment survey with 1,745 participants.

FairPrice reported that 73 per cent of consumers had "positive sentiments" to the month-long trial.

34.4 per cent of consumers revealed that they do not bring their own reusable bags, and only 14.6 per cent bring their own bags all the time.

However, 71.1 per cent supported the idea of plastic bag charges at the supermarket.

Said Seah Kian Peng, Group CEO of FairPrice:

"We are heartened by the survey findings, which showed that majority of customers are receptive towards a plastic bag charge. We also observed that more customers started to BYOB and show greater awareness for the environment."

Top photo from Tan Fang Wai / Google Maps