Singapore has been making strides towards reducing plastic waste, with supermarkets already charging 5 cents for each plastic bag to encourage eco-friendly practices.
Following this trend, a hawker stall in Kovan has decided to charge its customers S$0.10 for every plastic bag used after the first one, resulting in mixed reactions from patrons, according to 8world News.
1st bag free, subsequent ones 10 cents
A stall at the Kovan Market and Food Centre at Block 209 has introduced a new policy where the first plastic bag is provided free to customers.
However, if they require additional bags to carry their takeaway, each bag would incur an extra cost of S$0.10. The stall owner explained that many diners often requested two to three bags for their purchases, prompting the implementation of this environmentally conscious measure.
The hawker stall’s decision to charge for plastic bags aligns with Singapore’s broader efforts to become more environmentally friendly.
By encouraging customers to minimize plastic bag usage, the stall aims to contribute positively to the environment. The owner expressed the importance of hawkers not falling behind in adopting sustainable practices.
Customer Reactions
While some customers were understanding of the new charge, others found it excessive. One customer mentioned that supermarket-provided plastic bags were cheaper despite being larger.
On the other hand, another customer felt that as long as there was proper notice about the extra charge, they were fine with it.
At another hawker centre in Chong Pang, there have been reports of diners taking more plastic bags, causing concern for stall owners.
One incident involved a customer taking six bags to carry their order of noodles. To address this issue, the owner decided to remove all plastic carriers to avoid similar situations in the future.
Stall owners at various hawker centres expressed concerns about the increasing costs of plastic bags. In the past, they could purchase 20 plastic bags for S$1, but now, the same amount costs S$2, making it a financial burden for some.
While some owners were willing to forgo the charge in specific cases where customers couldn’t afford it, they emphasized the need for patrons to bring their own carriers.