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  Channel NewsAsia 2 May 07
Few new converts in Bring Your Own Bag Campaign

SINGAPORE: Not many people are being converted by the National Environment Agency's (NEA) campaign to get Singaporeans to bring their own bags when shopping.

Despite a recent publicity blitz, Wednesday's Bring Your Own Bag Day received a lukewarm response from shoppers.

This is the second time the event is being held, after its launch in April.

The Bring Your Own Bag Day campaign is to encourage the conservation and the preservation of resources.

However, it has not yet been able to convert some to a "greener" way of living, especially those among the older population. This is according to Republic Polytechnic students who are monitoring the campaign's success.

"Those of an older age group prefer not to bring the bags. Because for them the bags are heavy," says Eddy Ahmad, Vice-President, Conservation Interest Group, Republic Polytechnic.

"The other demographics prefer it because it is a conservation programme, so it's their part to save the environment," he continues.

A Channel NewsAsia straw poll similarly found there have not been many new converts to the programme.

"I'm sorry? Bag day? What do you mean?" says one local. "It's a gimmick, that's all…well, i can see everybody being given a plastic bag after you make a payment right?" says another.

And most who brought their own bags did not credit the campaign with changing their style of shopping.

"I've two freezer bags and four organic recycled bags. I've been doing it because they used to do it in Hong Kong and we used to live there," says one shopper. "I keep one with me in my handbag, a collapsible bag. So I've got one ready whenever I need it."

Though the message did get through to some: "It's Wednesday so we are supposed to bring our own bags so that we can save the environment by not creating so much rubbish."

The next Bring Your Own Bag Day will be held on 6 June. - CNA/yy
links

Bring Your Own Bag Day on the NEA website

Are biodegradable bags that much better than normal plastic bags? Letter from Chia Hern Keng Straits Times Forum 2 May 07

Letters to the press about Bring Your Own Bag Day

Related articles on Singapore: plastic bags
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