Watsons to charge 10 cents for plastic bags on Tuesdays
Beauty, health and wellness retailer Watsons will soon start charging customers who request plastic bags 10 cents for each transaction.
The policy will take effect at all 100 Watsons stores here next Tuesday, said the retailer yesterday.
For now, the charge applies only on Tuesdays, which have been designated by the retailer as a Bring Your Own Bag day.
All proceeds from the charge will be donated to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore in support of its conservation efforts.
Ms Irene Lau, managing director of Watsons Singapore, said: "As a major player in the health and beauty arena, we understand the responsibility we have towards the environment.
"Taking ownership of our planet starts with small, consistent actions, and that is where we are directing our efforts."
Last year, close to 13 million plastic bags were issued by the retailer.
Watsons also aims to increase the recycled plastic content in its plastic bags to 50 per cent by the first quarter of next year.
Customers who want to forgo plastic bags for a reusable one can purchase a Watsons shopping bag at $1.20 each.
Other retailers have also launched their own initiatives to reduce plastic bag usage.
Supermarket giant FairPrice has extended its "no plastic bag" initiative for a year from Nov 12, following positive responses from customers.
Customers who visit certain outlets and require plastic bags must pay 20 cents for each transaction at FairPrice, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra supermarkets.
The charge is 10 cents for each transaction at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress convenience stores.
There are 11 FairPrice, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra supermarkets, 12 Cheers stores and one FairPrice Xpress store taking part in this initiative. - THE STRAITS TIMES
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