In a groundbreaking initiative, FairPrice and Sheng Siong supermarkets have proudly reported generating over S$2.26 million from their Disposable Carrier Bag Charge (DCBC) fees, all directed towards vital social and environmental projects in Singapore.

The FairPrice Group was a pioneer, launching this plastic bag charge in 2019 at select outlets. Fast forward just three years, and the program has expanded significantly to encompass 178 Cheers and FairPrice Xpress outlets, as well as several major supermarkets.

Minister for Sustainability and Environment, Grace Fu, emphasized the positive impact of such initiatives in Parliament. "With increased awareness about plastic waste, more retailers in Singapore are openly embracing these charges, encouraging customers to opt for reusable bags instead," she highlighted. Notably, FairPrice's innovative 'No Plastic Bag' initiative saved 30 million plastic bags over just two years.

Under the Resource Sustainability Act 2019, which mandates larger supermarket operators with annual revenues exceeding S$100 million to implement a minimum charge of five cents for disposable carrier bags, the DCBC initiative was officially introduced on July 3, 2023.

FairPrice’s report, released on December 20, showcased staggering figures from July to December 2023: NTUC FairPrice issued over 33 million plastic bags, and Cheers distributed nearly 58,000 bags, collectively amassing DCBC fees of S$1,684,420.65. Of this, S$124,771.90 was allocated to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Both FairPrice and Cheers showcased their commitment to philanthropy, donating S$1 million and S$2,687.45 to the FairPrice Foundation, respectively. The remainder of the funds, totaling S$556,961.30, was funneled into various environmental sustainability initiatives.

Beneficiaries of these generous donations include prominent organizations such as World Wide Fund for Nature (Singapore), receiving S$204,312.65, and Zero Waste SG, which received S$60,000. Additionally, FairPrice Group is investing in future-oriented schemes by supporting Lim Kim Hai Electric Co (S) Pte Ltd with S$292,648.65 to promote clean energy. This entails developing infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging at supermarket distribution centers, aimed at facilitating broader EV adoption among local fleet operators.

In a parallel effort, Sheng Siong Group reported generating S$760,106.45 from the issuance of over 15 million disposable carrier bags. They have generously contributed S$703,802.27 of their earnings towards the President's Challenge, alongside fulfilling their GST obligations of S$56,304.18.

Importantly, the requirement for the disposable carrier bag charge extends beyond just NTUC FairPrice and Sheng Siong; other operators like Cold Storage and Don Don Donki are also part of this sustainability movement. Notably, Don Don Donki has recently taken commendable steps towards environmental responsibility by ceasing the sale of plastic bags across all its Singapore outlets.

As Singapore continues to grapple with plastic waste, initiatives like these mark not just a financial success but also a significant cultural shift towards sustainability. With both public and corporate sectors coming together, the path toward a greener future looks increasingly promising. Don't miss out on how these supermarket chains are changing the game for environmental causes—stay tuned for more on their incredible impact!