Singapore grocery retailer NTUC FairPrice seeks to continue reduce the use of plastic bags by extending plastic bag charge at its 25 outlets for a year starting November 11.

The retailer said it will require shoppers to pay 20 cents for a plastic bag at selected FairPrice, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra outlets, and 10 cents at some Cheers and FairPrice Xpress. Proceeds will be used to sponsor environmental and community causes. 

The decision follows its successful month-long no plastic bag trial, which ended on October 16 and drew a positive customer response. The retailer has surveyed 1745 customers regarding the trial and 73 per cent of respondents said they are supporting it.

“We are heartened by the survey findings, which showed that the majority of customers are receptive to a plastic bag charge. We also observed that more customers started to bring (their) own bags and showed greater awareness for the environment,” said CEO Seah Kian Peng.

Peng added that the month-long trial has raised $19,000, which will go to the Singapore Children’s Society and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

FairPrice, with a store network of 375, plans to save 30 million plastic bags per year by 2030.