NTUC FairPrice phases out SG$0.10 rebate for BYOB movement

NTUC FairPrice has phased out the FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme that provides a SG$0.10 rebate to shoppers with their own carry bags.  The FairPrice Plastic Bag Management Programme will be replacing the existing Fairprice Green Rewards Scheme, according to an article on Channel News Asia (CNA).With the existing scheme, approximately 10.8 million plastic bags were saved per year, however, with the new Plastic Bag Management Programme, FairPrice aims to save a target of 30 million plastic bags per year by 2030, as stated in the article.NTUC FairPrice CEO, Seah Kian Peng said that for more than a decade, FairPrice has championed the Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) movement in Singapore where it has invested more than SG$4 million. The FairPrice Plastic Bag Management Programme will use a four-pronged approach.The first step will be to review internal processes and implement policies and practices to trim plastic bag packaging in operations.Cashiers will also have environmentally-friendly bagging practices, while shoppers will be encouraged to reduce their use of plastic bags and embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle through public education programmes.FairPrice will work with both governmental and non-governmental organisations to jointly produce and implement education programmes. Marketing has contacted NTUC Fairprice for comments.In recent times, many brands are taking on greener initiatives to do their bid for the planet. For example, last month KFC said it would no longer provide plastic caps and straws with drinks in its Singapore outlets, unless it is for take aways.Meanwhile, Starbucks Coffee Company also said it would eliminate single-use plastic straws from its more than 28,000 company operated and licensed stores by making a strawless lid or alternative-material straw options available, around the world. Starbucks, is one of the largest food and beverage retailers to make such a global commitment, and it anticipates the move will eliminate more than one billion plastic straws per year from Starbucks stores.Read more:NTUC Fairprice sponsors local professional boxer Muhamad Ridhwan