Extent to which Mandatory Plastic Bag Charge has Resulted in Reduced in Use of Plastics

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment to what extent has the mandatory charge for plastic bags at supermarket chains resulted in (i) a reduction in the amount of supermarket plastic bags being used and (ii) the promotion of wider recycling efforts, as evidenced by increased participation in recycling initiatives.

Since its implementation on 3 July 2023, the mandatory disposable carrier bag charge has generally been well-received. The obligated larger supermarket operators have observed approximately 50% to 80% reduction in the number of disposable carrier bags that consumers have taken. We are heartened that the supermarket operators have also indicated that they intend to use the proceeds from the bag charge to support environmental or social causes.

The disposable carrier bag charge is a behavioural nudge which encourages the public to adopt sustainable habits, such as reducing the use of disposable carrier bags. We hope that the adoption of such sustainable habits will lead to wider behavioural change. However, as the bag charge was implemented less than a year ago, it may be too early to tell if it has also resulted in increased participation in other recycling initiatives. It is also difficult to directly attribute any changes in recycling habits to the bag charge, as the charge focuses on reducing usage rather than recycling.