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Plastic bag fee sparks unbagged trash fears

FairPrice's plastic bag surcharge trial draws support, but some voice hygiene concerns from unbagged garbage

FairPrice started its "no plastic bag" trial on Sept 16 at several of its outlets which ended this month.
FairPrice started its "no plastic bag" trial on Sept 16 at several of its outlets which ended this month. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
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If slapping a surcharge on plastic bags leads to people chucking icky waste down rubbish chutes without bagging it first, who is responsible for containing the problem?

Some social media users say it is each individual's responsibility - buy garbage bags, please. Some point to the Government - hand out free plastic bags. Some even point boldly to FairPrice supermarkets - don't charge for plastic bags or else the dirtying of chutes all over Singapore is somehow their fault.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on October 27, 2019, with the headline Plastic bag fee sparks unbagged trash fears. Subscribe