Update on Implementation of Disposable Carrier Bag Charge at Small Vendors Not Required to Participate in Programme

12 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether there have been efforts to monitor the implementation of the disposable carrier bag charge at smaller vendors who are not required to participate; and (b) if so, whether there have been any preliminary studies on the effectiveness of the programme in reducing plastic bag usage.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Except for the obligated larger supermarket operators, other retailers have the prerogative to decide whether to charge for disposable carrier bags as a business decision. The National Environment Agency does not track such retailers that have voluntarily implemented disposable carrier bag charges.