The next time you go grocery shopping or grab lunch outside, remember to take your own bag, bottle or container to get discounts or free food. Thanks to a new national campaign that’s kicking off on Friday (Sept 1), supermarkets, cafes and food outlets will offer consumers various perks like cash rebates, gifts and reward points for bringing their own reusable receptacles when they shop or dine out.
To curb the use of plastic waste in Singapore, the Bring Your Own (BYO) Singapore campaign involves 14 retailers and their 220 shops, reported TODAY. Launched today by non-governmental organization Zero Waste SG, it aims to get the participation of 500 retail outlets and reduce the number of disposable items by 1,000,000 pieces before it comes to a conclusion at the end of the year.
Participating brands include Aloha Poké (free additional superfood), Cold Storage (free reusable bag with minimum $20 purchase), Joe and Dough (50 cents discount), NTUC FairPrice (10 cents discount with minimum $10 spent), PAUL (10 percent off bread items) and Yellow Cup Coffee (50 cents discount). They will all have to keep track of the amount of plastic disposables they cut down on during this period.
But if you’re unsure whether a brand is part of the campaign, just look out for the display posters or stickers at the store.
According to figures from the National Environment Agency, only seven percent of the 822,200 tonnes of plastic waste generated in Singapore in 2016 was recycled. This means plastic is one of the most common types of waste disposed at our incineration plants, reported The Straits Times.
The burning of plastic waste produces carbon dioxide, which results in climate change, said Zero Waste SG. Plastic waste is also harmful to wildlife, human health and the environment.
