singaporeans still use too many plastic bags!

[bouncy_1978]

after that little spate of media attention a few months ago, supermarkets are still dishing out plastic bags like there's no tomorrow..

sad sad sad the way we use those pink bags, white bags, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, green, purple, orange and blue and then throw them away without them serving any further function. it's wrong to not re-use.

and people who throw away unfinished food..

even sadder

sorry am having an emo night. anyone care to lift the world's burdens off my shoulders? i'll come back again tomorow with a better argument.

[katchykid]

Okie, lets give some ideas on how to reuse plastic bags.

1) can use to fill rubbish

2) can use to fly kite...tie a string to the plastic bag and release it, it really flies.

3) can use to wrap presents and give to friends... plastic bags makes great wrappers..get ready some markers and tape..of coz, you need to be asthetically inclined.

4) pass things to friends.. i will always wrap things in plastic bags before passing around.

5) use to contain ur stinky clothes after sports...

6) use to decorate your room...

theres a million usage and i can go on and on~~!!:)

[burpx]

Just use plastic bags wisely and we'll be ok lah. :o

Hmmm must start keeping the bags so that we still have some to use when they decide to stop giving out the bags....

It will be terrible to have to pay for black trash bags to put your rubbish once they stop giving out plastic bags. $$ fly away*

[smap9018]

Maybe the stores should use recycled paper bags.

[space]

I tried telling a supermarket cashier once that I don't need the extra bag and gave it back to her. Instead of reusing it for someone else, she just took it from me and threw it away in the bin.

:rolleyes:

[yunise]

such as carrefour and ikea.

i think we can do our part by educating our family members and friends too.

spread the message - BYOB!!

http://sg.geocities.com/eunicetan/2centsworth.jpg

[ton_malchance]

Okie, lets give some ideas on how to reuse plastic bags.

6) use to decorate your room...

theres a million usage and i can go on and on~~!!:)

ummm...u use plastic bags 2 decorate ure room?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

ok...ttz d first time i've heard tt

[ton_malchance]

u know what???i kinda agree wid d pple usin too many plastic bags statement but i finf tt itz like a prob al ovr d world..nd even if u use paper bags, u r not doin much 2 save d trees r u????well, d only alternative is to just take a reusable bag 2 buy ure stuf....but then again, how many of us r wiling 2 do tt???

[acidboy]

have a nicer reusable bags.. and i guess everyone will use it.

[bouncy_1978]

I tried telling a supermarket cashier once that I don't need the extra bag and gave it back to her. Instead of reusing it for someone else, she just took it from me and threw it away in the bin.

:rolleyes:

poor Earth, populated by inconsideracy. garrh.

[kian_boon]

i totally agree .... singapore although small must do her part in conserving the environment.......

one way ...... to follow other countries ..... charge ppl a small amount of money per plastic bag .....

[lightning]

oh once at carrefour, this shopper bought lots of goceries.. say a trolley full but not to the brim yet. & i was just bored i stood there counting the number of plastic bags used.
20+ in all!!!! some even had double protection cos item too heavy! i did a quick mental sum, say everyday an average of 100 customers with average of 15 bags per person, that will be 1500 plastic bags/day which mounts to 45000plastic bags /mth. and that is only ONE branch.
imagine so many NTUC, SHOP N SAVE, GIANT... etc....... lets say there are 300 such shops in spore. every day = 1500 x 300 = 450000. 1mth = 450000 x 30 = 13500000 plastic bags!
And tis is only 1 small country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*faints....*

[murkyboi]

Singapore is just plain lousy . . . why can't we learn from other countries like Germany, whereby people have to bring there own paper bags to hold theirs groceries or simply change it to paper bags instead of plastic ones. We should learn to be more Environment Friendly! :mad:

[when-dy]

yeah, using plastics like nobody's business. quite disheartening to see that though most singaporeans knew about the harmful effects of pollution and etc.. its like they just don't care because plastics is so cheap and readily available.

[haanne]

Maybe the shopkeepers and dept store/supermarket cashiers can start by not issuing plastic bags to customer who buy only 1 or 2 small items?
They can request them to put them inside their handbags/backpack if they are carrying one. I always do that, and find that giving me the very small plastic bags are absolutely redundant. i dun understand why such small size plastic bags are manufactured in the 1st place..:confused:

[lightning]

ha.. we can start a 'SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS' campaign together pals!

[ton_malchance]

ok....i say NO 2 plastic bags.....but how many of us will really do it???

are v all just all mouth nd no action????

i have yet 2 c any one usin reusable bags at any shop...hmmmmm.....nd yet every one keeps talkin abt savin d world but noone does nethin abt it.....i dont mean anyone..just putting it across in general...

[phoenixjade]

In places like Austria, they charge for the plastic bags. Quite heartpain to pay mah, so my friend and I reused them over and over again. And now I am back in SG, I hate the feeling of getting too many plastic bags when I go shopping. Feel very guilty.

Now I bring my own grocery bag. :)

I think it is about awareness of the need to be environmentally friendly... After that few months overseas, I feel damn guilty everytime I throw plastic bag away. :(

[whiz]

i bought 1 of those green reusable bags from 7-11 and i totally regretted it man!

it made me look like an auntie!!!

pls design something a little more ermm ungender-biased..

My company uses paper bags and cloth bags to contain our products that we sell. It is more expensive but I'm quite sure it serves its purpose and people can use the cloth bags to carry books, little things, and if you don't like the logo just turn it inwards. But, in order to be really environmentally friendly like other countries, we should charge for plastic bags. Then people would not want to use them. It is harsh, but it speaks volumes for being environmentally friendly!

[botak2006]

to solve it , i think we must stop the plastic bag usuage and replace all with recycle bag

[kian_boon]

Using bio-degradable bags is a good way to solve the problem, if and only if the consumers are willing to absorb the costs themselves.

I think a cheaper way is thru education. Let our young understand the importance of environmental protection.

[zhuangenlie]

after that little spate of media attention a few months ago, supermarkets are still dishing out plastic bags like there's no tomorrow..

sad sad sad the way we use those pink bags, white bags, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, green, purple, orange and blue and then throw them away without them serving any further function. it's wrong to not re-use.

and people who throw away unfinished food..

even sadder

sorry am having an emo night. anyone care to lift the world's burdens off my shoulders? i'll come back again tomorow with a better argument.

I personally reckon that da reason why there r so much litter's coz peeps tend to take things fer granted. 'less something reali drastic occurs that'll cause em to change their mentality, it'' stay tis way fer da long run. it doesn't matter wat sorta moves r made, da onus lies on da consumers who feel that since they're paying customers, they've da rite to these bags.. if da prob's to be countered, mindsets of da peeps simply haf gotta be changed. Now......, if onli we could be like AUS. wateva hpned to da clean & green movement.........?:confused:

[borasantorini]

i bought 1 of those green reusable bags from 7-11 and i totally regretted it man!

it made me look like an auntie!!!

..


Why???
You did the right thing. Only sophisticated environmentally friendly younger people use use these re-usable bags. I applaud you. I also use them.
Please don't give up yr ideals.

[borasantorini]

Using bio-degradable bags is a good way to solve the problem, if and only if the consumers are willing to absorb the costs themselves.

I think a cheaper way is thru education. Let our young understand the importance of environmental protection.


You are totally right... they should teach this in schools. Hope MOE reads this.

[borasantorini]

oh once at carrefour, this shopper bought lots of goceries.. say a trolley full but not to the brim yet. & i was just bored i stood there counting the number of plastic bags used.
20+ in all!!!! some even had double protection cos item too heavy! i did a quick mental sum, say everyday an average of 100 customers with average of 15 bags per person, that will be 1500 plastic bags/day which mounts to 45000plastic bags /mth. and that is only ONE branch.
imagine so many NTUC, SHOP N SAVE, GIANT... etc....... lets say there are 300 such shops in spore. every day = 1500 x 300 = 450000. 1mth = 450000 x 30 = 13500000 plastic bags!
And tis is only 1 small country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*faints....*

The largers stores should lead with positive action. Like giving re-usable bags to customers who buy lots of stuff, like that customer you described.

They could also try and get sponsors for re-usable bags to be given away foc.

[bread]

So ple walk your talk!!

Do your bit in environmental conservation by refusing plastic bags. For example, if you buy a piece of bread from the bakery, normally they will put it into a clear plastic mini wrapper and then attempt to put it inside a plastic bag rite? Simple say 'no' to the plastic bag.. It really helps to save a lot.

If you go the bookstores to buy books and stationary and you carry a bag with you.. just tell them you don't need the carrier at all. It so much more convenient. Firstly, you save the plastic bag and secondly you don't have to think of how to handle/dispose of the plastic bag when you reach home.

Anw people who throw away plastic bags are wasting them away as well. Should try to reduce and reuse as much as possible.

[vavavroom]

it's not just plastic bags...Singaporeans take everything for granted!

My heart really bleeds when I see people allow water to be left running when they're not using it or using it excessively & unnecessarily. Once, I was behind a colleague who's washing her mug. She poured out the water left from yesterday and started rinsing it once, twice, thrice with the tap turned on at full gush. I think it was after the fourth time that she stopped. I can't help but asked her "U drank poison yesterday?"

[localgal]

Guilty as charged.

[kian_boon]

it's not just plastic bags...Singaporeans take everything for granted!

My heart really bleeds when I see people allow water to be left running when they're not using it or using it excessively & unnecessarily. Once, I was behind a colleague who's washing her mug. She poured out the water left from yesterday and started rinsing it once, twice, thrice with the tap turned on at full gush. I think it was after the fourth time that she stopped. I can't help but asked her "U drank poison yesterday?"
These social ills and bad habits are the result of an efficient gov....

The young today just do not go thru enough hardships to understand the very meaning of cherish .... hope the gov can think of ways to curb the problem.

[whiz]

It's all about education and walking the talk, and get those supermarkets to charge for bags. Even "auntie" recyclable bags will then be in fashion!
Hope the government does something about this.

[awkwardsmile]

I tried telling a supermarket cashier once that I don't need the extra bag and gave it back to her. Instead of reusing it for someone else, she just took it from me and threw it away in the bin.

:rolleyes:

zomg. she's terrible. most of the time when i refuse a plastic bag, they would give me the o_O look. :confused:

p/s i like your username. hah

[qing02051981]

In Taiwan, the supermarkets do not give plastic bags. You either bring your own carry bag or if they see you buy a lot of things, you can ask for a paper bag.

[junkman_82]

Think should start with the supermarket bah...
Coz its juz too ez to get plastic bag anywhere in sg...

[holydust]

i have been to europe and australia and over there, plastic bags are like no plastic bags here. after a purchase we expect the cashier to give us the items in a plastic bag. over there they just hand them to you (unless there a lots and lots of little stuff)

not only that. they are environmentally friendly. each house has a set of rubbish bins, each for a different rubbish. eg biodegrable stuff, glass, plastic......

there are those who are willing to give up the huge use of plastic bags, but there are those who are indifferent and think it is a right. a right to use up the earth's resources, you ask me? spare a thought. the resources could very well be used for third world countries and those who are this close to death

[Derridean]

I'm quite dumb to the Singapore system (being overseas for a looong time) so bear with me. I know supermarkets dish out the plastic bags like nothing. But I also use these plastic bags to bag my rubbish. I don't throw them away indiscriminately in other words. They are re-used for various purposes (I keep a stack at home for such purposes). I notice barely anyone buying bio-degradable rubbish bags so I'm going to assume most people use plastic bags for their rubbish. Does this count as recycling?

Now as to what can be changed.


Supermarkets in Europe typically have a 'bin' area where you can deposit your used bags. They'll recycle these for their own use. I don't see why our own supermarkets can't have such an area (typically found after the counter area, near the aisles and not in some deep dank corner).


I don't see many recycle centres at all. Appalling. It's common practice for us to recycle our things (glass bottles, metal cans, plastics, papers) into respective bags, and then every weekend, on the way to the supermarket, we'd drive to the recycle centre - typically found in the parking area of the supermarket - and dump the stuff there. We don't mind doing this because it's convenient. As most supermarkets here do not have open space carparks nearby where they can put recycle centres, I don't see why such centres can't be found in HDBs and private estates?


I understand that the rubbish depositories do the recycling at their point there. This takes the recycling function away from us consumers, and makes it more convenient, but more importantly, it also means we become less conscious of the need to recycle. After all, someone else in some rubbish plant is doing that for us. Is this the case? Does anyone know?


Along with other good suggestions by posters here such as bio-degradable plastic bags or charging for them or providing re-usable ones, of course.

[StarFire]

Sometimes, even if you see people using the recycable bags, if you look inside those bags, there are mutiple plastic bags inside one recycable bag. People still want plastic bags to segregate their cold foods, fruits, detergents, etc. So, er...the recycable bags defeats the purpose, unless these people also bring their own plastic bags, in addition to the recyable bags.:confused:

[holydust]

there was one point at which supermarkets were trying to...save plastic. therefore the plastic bags became super thin. to prevent the contents from falling out because of the torn plastic bags, cashiers had to add an extra over it. now that defeats the purpose.

seems like the practice of not giving out plstic bags is the best idea. bratty singaporeans think they have all the money to throw plastic bags away anyway. they won't care about recycling

[appledoe]

bratty singaporeans :o

why dun they give everyone some uh, huge shopping bags? x.X

[whiteknight]

The largers stores should lead with positive action. Like giving re-usable bags to customers who buy lots of stuff, like that customer you described.

They could also try and get sponsors for re-usable bags to be given away foc.
you are right. they should give good quality reuseable bags. so that they will last a long time and people will reuse them. now they are making their plastic bags thinner and thinner. so people will take more and more. otherwise it will break halfway even before you reach home.

[Thenextbigthing]

Maybe can start to charge $0.10 for every plastic bags to reduce the consumption & switch to reusable bags:rolleyes:

[ordinaryteenager]

I tried telling a supermarket cashier once that I don't need the extra bag and gave it back to her. Instead of reusing it for someone else, she just took it from me and threw it away in the bin.

:rolleyes:
wah...:eek: why throw the bag away...:( still can use what....

[missinginaction]

yea man
if u hv a bag, why not jus throw yr things in ya bag?
i usually ask em not to gv me plastic bag when i buy lil things like mag
unless u dun hv a bag and u r not using d things immediately

oh do u guys knw tat u hv to pay for a plastic bag if u wan one in other countries?

[missinginaction]

zomg. she's terrible. most of the time when i refuse a plastic bag, they would give me the o_O look. :confused:

p/s i like your username. hah

cos d plastic bag not she buy one!! :mad: