More than 9 million plastic bags saved in 2014 with FairPrice BYOB scheme

Channel NewsAsia 21 Apr 15;

SINGAPORE: More than 9 million plastic bags were saved through the FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme in 2014, and more than S$450,000 in rebates given out, NTUC FairPrice announced on the eve of Earth Day. The number of plastic bags saved last year was a record for the supermarket chain.

FairPrice said in a news release on Tuesday (Apr 21) since the launch of its bring-your-own-bag scheme in 2007, it has given out more than S$2.3 million in rebates, which works out to more than 46.5 million plastic bags saved. Since launching this initiative, FairPrice has also seen an increase in plastic bags saved at its stores by about 10 per cent on-year.

FairPrice has been supporting the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) Earth Hour movement this year by switching off all non-essential lights at its stores, offices and warehouses. It will also be donating S$12,500 to WWF.

- CNA/ac

Record 9 million plastic bags saved last year: NTUC FairPrice
Today Online 21 Apr 15;

SINGAPORE – NTUC FairPrice saved more than nine million plastic bags last year, making it the highest number of plastic bags saved since the launch of its FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme in 2007. The supermarket chain also gave out more than S$450,000 in rebates last year.

A spokesman said the number of plastic bags saved is derived by estimating from the amount of rebates given out yearly.

In a press release issued today (April 21), FairPrice said it has given out more than S$2.3 million in rebates to customers since 2007, which works out to savings of more than 46.5 million plastic bags.

Since launching the initiative - which urges shoppers to use less plastic bags - it has seen a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of plastic bags saved at its stores, said FairPrice.

Mr Koh Kok Sin, Chairperson of the FairPrice Green Committee said: “We are encouraged that our customers recognise the call to care for the Earth, and share our commitment to save plastic bags and take on other sustainable initiatives. We will continue to work together with our stakeholders to build a green and eco-friendly Singapore.”

Mr Koh said they will continue to upgrade and make their stores as eco-friendly as possible, and will find ways to raise environmental consciousness among shoppers. To date, there are 60 stores with green features such as energy-saving equipment and lighting.

FairPrice also said it has donated S$12,500 to WWF this year in support of Earth Hour.

NTUC FairPrice shoppers saved over 9 million plastic bags in 2014
AsiaOne 21 Apr 15;

Over 9 million plastic bags were saved and more than $450,000 in rebates were given out to shoppers through the FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme last year, NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mr Koh Kok Sin, Chairperson of the FairPrice Green Committee, said: "Securing a sustainable future for our Earth is the responsibility of everyone in this generation. We continue to upgrade and make our stores as eco-friendly as possible, find ways to raise environmental consciousness among shoppers, and encourage them to Think Green and Shop Green."

"We are encouraged that our customers recognise the call to care for the Earth, and share our commitment to save plastic bags and take on other sustainable initiatives. We will continue to work together with our stakeholders to build a green and eco-friendly Singapore."

The FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme was first launched in 2007 to encourage shoppers to reduce the use of plastic bags by bringing their own bags to carry their purchases.

Over the years, more than $2.3 million in rebates were given out as an estimated 46.5 million plastic bags were saved. The highest number of plastic bags was saved in 2014.

Besides encouraging shoppers to cut down on using plastic bags, FairPrice also supported Earth Hour this year by switching off all non-essential lights at its stores, offices and warehouses.

In addition, FairPrice donated $12,500 to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in its seventh year of supporting the initiative.