Phase out plastic bags
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Oct 3, 2011 - ST Forum
HUMAN nature being what it is, people will not change their bad habits easily ("New council rolls up sleeves for dirty job"; last Wednesday).
The Government must intervene more and eliminate some of the root causes of littering.
One immediate measure could be phasing out plastic bags and introducing a law that bans the use of plastic bags.
You only have to stand in the supermarket aisles to notice the bewildering number of plastic bags that are used up every minute. Yet the solution is so simple: use reusable bags.
It is equally confounding how much unnecessary waste is created daily at food centres and wet markets. I frequent the Ghim Moh and Tiong Bahru centres regularly and I am perplexed by the senseless use of plastic bags, cups and styrofoam plates, and particularly the plastic bag drink vessels with draw string and straw, the most environmentally hazardous items that litter this island and invariably end up in the ocean.
Create a platform to implement environmentally safe, biodegradable alternatives. There are now affordable, competitive products available such as corn, sugar cane and plantation pulp products.
The Government could give out free, reusable bags to every person in Singapore and this would be more cost-effective than collecting and disposing of the offending plastic items.
Curtis Marsh
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most people find using reusable bags troublesome. you dont and wont carry one everywhere you go right?
maybe paperbag can be a solution.
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when im at the supermarket, i find tt a lot of aunties bring their own bags/re-use plastic bags, while others who look more educated and refined do not
i will rber to bring my own bag if i have a planned supermarket trip
but sometimes i is pass by and suddenly tot of buying something so no prepare a bag
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I have lots of supermarket plastic bags at home, I get them faster than I can use them for bagging garbage.
I also have lots of reusable bags at home, all FOC ones, collected from expos and exhibitions and fairs. I never use them because I don't carry them when I go out.
I used to carry a plastic bag, folded into triangle, in my pocket, but I have stopped doing that.
I want to buy something, I just go and buy, and add the plastic bag to the ones I already have at home.
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likewise - most of the right-sized plastic bags i accumulate at home become bin liners....i think many people do this?
i too bring those shopping bags, when i know i'm making a trip to but stuff, but if it's a rndom stop after work or whatever, then make do with plastic bags they provide. Sometimes carry by hand if practical.
the paper bag suggestion i think is good... think they use this in the US quite often? Though what would people use as bin liners? If they end up having to buy plastic bags for that, then maybe the end result is the same? Do they have ones that have carry handles rather than having to fully carry them, because that would cause inconvenience and be a turn off for many i think.
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No plastic bags then garbage don't need put into plastic bag?
Else have to waste money buy garbage bags.
Also go back to square 1.
Not feasible solution for Singapore.
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Your supermarket plastic bags has alternative uses, first as a bag for your groceries then finally as a garbage bag.
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I normally take my recycle bag to the supermarket.
If my house run out of plastic bag, then I will not take my recycle bag and bring back some plastic bag for rubbish trash.
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any organization involved?
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Originally posted by likeyou:
I normally take my recycle bag to the supermarket.
If my house run out of plastic bag, then I will not take my recycle bag and bring back some plastic bag for rubbish trash.
normally if i buy one or two items to be consumed or used immediately upon leaving the shop, I will request not to have a plastic bag.
Also, things that do not get wet (eg cold drinks that condense water on outside of can or bottle) or things that would not spill easily or things that are flat, I will request not to have a plastic bag and I will put in my bag. But everytime I definitely ask for the receipt in case they thought I did not pay.
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I used recycled bag in my pocket for whenever possible.
When buying takeaway the tiffin is always ready. I get lots of frown but that's ok, I'm old enough to be out of fashion.
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can recycle Milo Tins to replace plastic bags what