Set clear boundaries on where trolleys can be taken

It has been reported that FairPrice lost about 1,000 trolleys last year, an increase of almost 20 per cent compared with five years ago ("FairPrice rolls out 'trolley enforcement officers'"; Sept 3).

Some shoppers who push the trolleys outside the supermarket's premises have a criminal motive, like selling the trolleys to another store or a recycling merchant, or keeping them for personal use.

Others are people who don't drive but live within walking distance of the store. These shoppers should consider buying a foldable shopping cart.

Those who take the shopping trolleys home without intending to return them must know that the cost of the trolleys will be passed on to the consumers.

Supermarkets must set boundaries that shoppers must comply with. For instance, shoppers who drive can push the trolleys only to the carpark and then return them to the designated trolley area.

Shoppers who genuinely need help transporting their groceries should consider approaching the supermarket's customer service staff for assistance, and obtain permission to push the trolleys to a taxi stand or bus stop.

It would be an offence and considered unlawful to take trolleys beyond the boundary area without permission.

Strict measures must be enforced to ensure that shoppers do not take the trolleys beyond the set boundaries and back to their homes.

Donny Ho Boon Tiong

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