Mailbox: Walk the talk on reducing usage of plastic bags

FOR about two years, I have been reusing plastic bags when I purchase vegetables from FairPrice.

I was able to do so as most vegetables were kept in open baskets, and I was able to place them in the plastic bags I had with me before getting them weighed.

Recently, however, the Yew Tee Point outlet has started to pre-weigh and pre-pack the vegetables in plastic bags. For example, each capsicum is packed in a plastic bag of its own.

These bags are so small that they cannot be reused, even as garbage bags.

It is ironic because near the vegetable section, there is a notice asking customers to reduce the use of plastic bags.

How can we do that if we are not given a choice?

It is not enough for FairPrice to ask shoppers to "bring their own bags". As a corporate entity, it can do more to cut down on the use of plastic bags.

I call on FairPrice to review its packing procedures, so customers like me can enjoy plastic-free shopping.

Narayanan Anand Chandrasekar

This article was first published on July 24, 2014.
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