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  Straits Times Forum Online 15 Feb 06
Lessons from Australia on cutting use of plastic bags
Letter from Patricia Koh Hway Loo (Ms)
WITH reference to 'New Move To Cut Use Of Plastic Bags' (Sunday Times, Feb 12), I feel that Singapore should have introduced reusable bags years ago.

I have been living in Australia for the past two years. Most of the supermarkets there use reusable bags and they train their check-out staff on how to fill the bags. They will not offer plastic bags for purchases of three items or fewer.

But it is a good start to encourage Singaporeans to use reusable bags to save on plastic bags. This will help to create a better environment and retailers can cut costs by giving out fewer plastic bags. The price of the reusable bags should be kept low to encourage shoppers to use them.

And perhaps the National Environment Agency could place 'Say No To Plastic Bags' advertisements on TV to create more awareness and promote the use of reusable bags.

Straits Times Forum Online 16 Feb 06
Good move by Giant supermarket to sell reusable bags at 95 cents
Letter from Kevin Lam Koi Yau

I WOULD like to applaud Giant supermarket's push to sell reusable bags at 95 cents. It is a good first step to persuade the public to use fewer plastic bags.

It is probably wrong to think that charging for plastic bags will affect business. Look at our enterprising hawkers who had decided to levy a charge on takeaways. I am sure they faced the same problem as supermarkets which are deciding whether to charge for plastic bags.

Ultimately, it is fairer for the consumers who want the plastic bags to pay for them. Why should I pay for the packaging of someone's takeaway when I am eating in?

Similarly I should not be made to pay for plastic bags hoarded by some shoppers.
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