Shoppers to pay at least 5 cents for plastic bags at most supermarkets

From mid-2023, shoppers at most supermarkets will need to pay at least five cents for each disposable carrier bag.

- Shabana Begum

Two-thirds of all supermarket outlets in Singapore including FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong and Prime will impose the charge on disposable bags of all materials, including plastic and paper.

The upcoming carrier bag charge is among several proposed amendments to the Resource Sustainability Act tabled in Parliament on Monday. The aim of the proposed changes is to reduce packaging and food waste in Singapore. Only 6 per cent of all plastic waste was recycled in Singapore in 2021.

The carrier bag charge was first announced in early 2022.

The larger supermarket operators that will carry the charge have an annual turnover of more than 100 million and are better resourced to implement the requirements.