Supermarkets Will Soon Charge for Plastic Bags – Is It Time to Turn to Eco-Friendly Alternatives?

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“Auntie, can you give me one extra plastic bag?”

We’ve all seen the plastic‑bag‑saga: from grocery haul to packaging, these things look harmless but are a real eco‑villain. That’s why Singapore’s government is slapping a minimum $0.05 fee on every bag from mid‑2023 onward.

Retail giants get the penny‑per‑bag ticket

• NTUC FairPrice
• Cold Storage
• Giant
• Sheng Siong
• Prime

These big names aren’t catching a breath; they’re all in the same bag‑fee boat. But it’s not a brand‑new idea.

FairPrice’s “No Plastic Bag” shuffle

FairPrice has already been cutting down plastic, and they’re now adding an extra 10‑cent charge at all Cheers and FairPrice Xpress outlets. Some NTUC FairPrice supermarkets are even up the ante to a 20‑cent charge.

What does that mean for our wallets?

Let’s break down the cost of staying faithful to plastic bags. The extra spend? Think of it as a tiny thank‑you note to Earth for every swallow of that pesky wrapper.

TL;DR: How much you are spending on plastic bags in a year

Every Penny Counts

Those tiny savings—just a few cents here, a few cents there—might feel like minnows in the ocean, but once you start stacking them, the tide starts turning.

See the Impact in a Snap

• Daily Acorns: 5¢ per coffee = $0.05
• Weekly Harvest: $0.05 × 7 days = $0.35
• Monthly Jackpot: $0.35 × 30 days ≈ $10.50
• Yearly Bonanza: $10.50 × 12 ≈ $126

So, yes—those 5¢ might seem trivial, but watch them grow.

Smart Ways to Stretch Your Money

• Stick to Store Brands: Save a chunk on groceries without sacrificing taste.
• Shop on Sale Days: Check every retailer’s clearance tabs—it’s like treasure hunting.
• Use Price‑Match Promises: Tell the cashier, “I found a cheaper price on this product.”
• Plan Your Meals: Cook in bulk and freeze—no more impulsive take‑out.
• Track Spending: Export your receipts and watch the numbers travel.

Ready to turn those minute cents into a financial win? Let us roll up our sleeves and crunch the numbers together, spotting smarter options where your wallet will cheer.

Costs of using plastic bags from supermarkets

The Tiny Price Tu‑Tussle of Grocery Bags

If you’ve ever put a reusable bag on the counter instead of a plastic one, you’ve already noticed the friendly little fee that shows up on your bank statement each time you grab a bag.

Quick Breakdown

Think of the yearly figure—that’s not much, right? But it’s still a gap you’re quietly filling with cash that could be put to better use.

How It All Starts

“Tote or not tote? That is the question.”

“You borrowed the bag; you pay the fee.”So in a year, the plastic bags alone will drain `$4.80`—even if you don’t shop daily.

Enter the Reusable Hero

Now, buy a reusable grocery bag from “ and it costs $0.90.

In other words, each round of plastic bags stops after around 2.5 months of use—then the bag is gone. With the reusable version, you cut your potential “bag‑costs” by a huge margin.

The Numbers in Action

So, if you had a plain plastic habit, you would have sunk $4.80 in fees. By switching over, you’re keeping $3.90—an extra 82.5% on your grocery budget.
“Do you want that extra $3.90 for a trip to the gym, or perhaps for a fun dinner with friends?”

Final Take

So next time you walk into the market, make the switch—your wallet will thank you, and you could enjoy more—like a movie night or a workout—because those monetary “bag” fees just dissolved.

Is it worth buying your own plastic bags?

Is Buying Your Own Plastic Bags Worth the Extra Toss?

Picture this: a supermarket offers you a handful of plastic bags between each checkout. They’re handy, but how much are you really shredding your wallet for?

Quick Math—Keep it Simple!

Suppose you spend $3 on a bulk pack of medium‑size plastic bags. Each bundle contains roughly 27–30 bags; that’s about 86 bags per bundle on average.

Now, if you use at least three bags each time you hit the cashier, those 10 cents you’re paying per visit is actually half of what supermarket‑issued bags would cost you.

What Does the Numbers Really Say?

Look at that: you spend the same $0.90 for a reusable bag every single week – but you can use it forever. Over the course of a year, that’s a nifty $1.50 saved compared to buying another bulk pack of plastic bags.

Time to Treat Yourself—and the Planet!

Why not make a one‑time purchase that pays off every time you bail out your groceries?

• Save your moolah.
• Forfeit endless plastic waste.
• Feel good about being kind to the planet.

So, grab that reusable grocery bag today. Your wallet and the Earth will thank you.

Other costs incurred from disposable plastics

Ever Wondered Where Those Extra Plastic Bills Are Coming From?

NTUC’s stretch on plastic bag fees isn’t just about a small extra charge—it’s a front‑liner example of how plastic can sneak its way into our wallets unnoticed. But think about all those disposable plastics we casually pass around every day; the real cost is hiding in plain sight.

Hidden Disposable Plastic Costs (and some eye‑opening examples!)

• Grocery bags – those single‑use items that crease, degrade, and eventually land in a landfill.
• Plastic water bottles – the daily splash of convenience that adds up to a bottle bag cost.
• Take‑away coffee cups – the invisible “incense” of coffee culture that burns through your purse.
• Plastic cutlery – that one‑time fork and knife set that dreams of becoming art in your trash.
• Plastic wrappers over food – discreet wrappers that quietly inflate the price of your snack.

Got a fridge full of single‑use plastic? You’re likely paying more than you think.

Heads‑Up! A Quick Hint for Those Who Shop at Watsons

Starting this December, Watsons will actually charge customers for plastic bags on Tuesdays. No more free bags—just pay the price they’ve been hiding all along.

Trash bags or bin liners

Why You Should Trade Plastic Pick‑ups for a Recyclable Rebound

We’ve all seen the endless stack of supermarket plastic bags in the trash bin – the classic “reuse‑and‑flash” that’s easy as a click. But with NTUC Fairprice now piling a surcharge on every bag, you might start looking for a wallet‑friendly alternative. Swapping bags for trash liners is the first thought, but let’s see why that might not be the best coin count.

The Price Tag of Plastic Garbage

• Bin liners: $1.20 per pack of 25
• Assuming two trash‑day pulls per week, that’s ~4 packs a year.
• Yearly cost: $4.80

That price isn’t a secret— it’s the same amount you’d spend grabbing a handful of plastic bags for a weekend haul. So, if you’re looking to keep your wallet happy in the long game, this route? Hefty but not efficient.

Enter the Hero: A Washable Bin

What if you invested that same $4.80 in a durable, reusable bin instead? Here’s the scoop:

• One good bin can last years— a single investment replaces the yearly cost of dozens of disposable liners.
• Its extra effort—you’ll need to clean it occasionally—but the trade‑off is a stable, cost‑saving stream.
• No more plastic stamp‑out when the next “bargain” local shop drops the price of bags.

Long‑Term Logic in a Light Take‑home

Under a minimalist budget, switching to a washable bin is the prime spender’s choice. You cut the constant renewal of plastic waste, and your bank receives a bounty in the future. Now that’s a real win‑win—your trash shoots way out of the bin, and your cash stays in the bin.

Plastic bags for storing food

Never Guess How Much Your Takeout Is Really Paying For

Every time you walk into your favorite hawker stall and pick up a steaming bowl of noodles or a hearty sandwich, don’t forget the little extra fee that pops up: 20 cents for the container. Sound trivial? Think about it.

Crunch the Numbers

• 4 takeouts a week × 52 weeks = 208 takeouts a year
• 208 takeouts × $0.20 per container = $41.60
• But many stalls also charge 20 cents for bags, so the total can climb to roughly $38.40 a year.

That’s the price you’ll be paying for single‑use plastic cups that you’ll toss out after one bite.

Why It’s Worth the Small Investment

Imagine you’re buying a reusable container for just $5. Here’s what you’ll actually save over a year:

• Disposable container cost: $38.40
• Reusable container once (recurring almost zero): $5
• Net savings: $33.40… before you even think about the environment.

Not too shabby for a decent bowl, right? Plus you’re not secretly contributing to the planet’s waste pile.

Takeaway Tips

• Ask the stall owner if they’ll set aside a “never‑buy‑again” container for you.
• Keep it in your bag—just heat up your food as you’d normally, no fuss.
• Tell your friends that you’re a “clean eater” and not a disposable‑stuff monster.

Below the math, you’ll find a little reason that often resonates with everyone: Then you’re 8% fewer guinea pigs in the world’s recycling bin—and that’s a win for your wallet and the planet alike. Happy takeout, happy savings!

More tips to saving your wallet and/or the environment?

Ready to Slash Your Grocery Bill?

Before you toss the last item onto the cart, grab a few of these money‑saving moves to keep your wallet happy.

1⃣ Fight the “Mid‑week Madness” Cost Surge

• Check the store’s weekly flyer before you head in – it’s the quickest way to spot sales.
• Download the store’s free app; many places roll out extra discounts only available online.
• Track an autocheckout service – it pulls prices faster and helps you snag the best deals.

2⃣ Leverage Senior Discounts

• Most big‑box stores offer a 10–15% off for seniors on a daily or weekly basis.
• Don’t forget to show your resident card – some events are hidden, so be sure to ask your sales associate.
• Stack these savings with your coupon list for extra cuts.

3⃣ Ditch Delivery Fees (When Shopping Online)

• Many retailers give free shipping if you hit a set spend threshold; aim to reach it whenever possible.
• Look for “prime” or “express” bundles that block the delivery charges until your order arrives.
• Take advantage of pick‑up lockers or local drop‑off points – sometimes the final price is lower.

4⃣ Play Green, Lower the Bills

• Buy in bulk for staples; that’s cheaper per unit and saves you multiple trips.
• Choose locally produced items – they’re fresher, often cheaper, and less transport cost.
• Request paperless receipts or bring a reusable bag – some stores offer a tiny discount for eco‑friendly shoppers.

Apply these tricks next time you shop, and you’ll enjoy a lighter bill while doing your part for the planet.

Originally from Seedly – your go‑to guide for smart spending.