|
| all news articles | by topics |
|
news
articles about singapore's wild places
|
| Straits
Times Forum Online 13 Sep 05 Cost savings from using fewer plastic grocery bags Letter from Goh Si Guim It is encouraging to note that other countries have walked the extra mile to reduce waste (Reduce waste like Taipei, Sunday Times Sept 11). However, in a high consumption society like ours in Singapore, some of our efforts in this direction have been less successful. Implementation had not been sustained over appreciable periods and there is little interest among businesses and the public. To implement effective measures, the National Environment Agency could get the commitment of the Singapore Retailers' Association, Singapore Manufacturers' Association, Mediacorp artistes and other civic and business organisations to act in unison to tackle the waste problem. These concerted efforts would eventually work to the advantage of all parties, including consumers. As a consumer, I would like to urge others to start with themselves. I have been shopping at the Shop and Save outlet in Toa Payoh Central for many years. I do my grocery shopping once a week, each time bringing along two used yellow Shop&Ssave carrier bags. This act had never raised an eyebrow in the shop. I also discourage packing different kinds of purchases into separate bags, as some cashiers and consumers tend to do. My personal contribution to waste reduction is about 50 fewer plastic bags a year. Imagine what we can achieve if every shopper does the same. In a nutshell, there would be cost savings and a drop in retail prices from the reduced usage in plastic bags, less emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere and better health for all. This can only be achieved when all of us pitch in. Goh Si Guim links Related articles on Singapore: plastic bags efforts to reduce use of plastic bags, issues, discussions |
| News articles are reproduced for non-profit educational purposes. | |
website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com |