Commentary: Singapore will finally charge for plastic bags. What’s next?

SINGAPORE: Come Jul 3, residents in Singapore will have to pay at least 5 cents for each disposable carrier bag taken from large supermarket operators. That’s one point scored for environmentalism and minus one for grumbling customers.

Truth be told, charging for plastic bags is long overdue. In 2019, NTUC FairPrice launched a month-long “no plastic bag” trial at seven outlets. Shoppers had to pay 10 cents to 20 cents per transaction for plastic bags, and the pilot was extended and grew to involve more outlets.