getting rid of plastic bags in singapore

amsterdam berlin los angeles san francisco singapore edenspiekermann_

Getting rid of plastic bags in Singapore

An #espimakerdays Project September 2015

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The average Singaporean uses 584 plastic bags

per year

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The average European uses 198 plastic bags

per year

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In April 2015 European member states have committed themselves to either:

> reduce this amount even further to

90 per person in 2019 40 per person in 2025

source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20150424IPR45708/html/MEPs-clamp-down-on-wasteful-use-of-plastic-carrier-bags

> or ensure that by the end of 2018, no more light plastic bags are handed over free of charge

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3.000.000.000 plastic bags per year in Singapore alone

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After usage, most of these end up in our environment

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Even so-called bio degradable bags don’t

just disappear into thin air

source: http://www.plasticsrecyclers.eu/news/biodegradable-plastic-bags-are-myth

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Since 2007 there have been some good initiatives in Singapore

to reduce the amount of plastic bags used

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Results of a recent survey (2013) commissioned by NTUC FairPrice have found that more customers are bringing their own bags when grocery shopping.

62% have brought their own bags at least once 36% said that they do so regularly 13% shared that they do it all the time

80% of people who brought their own bags do so to be environmentally friendly.

The survey involved 536 customers.

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Fairprice’s BYOB campaign saved 9 million plastic bags in 2014

(out of 3 billion that is only 0.3%…)

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Today’s reality…

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Why is this not working?

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The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) released a position paper in September 2013.

“The findings in this paper have shown that the usage of plastic bags in Singapore is a complex and multi-faceted issue for which there is no simple solution. Economic considerations have to be balanced with environmental and commercial and even personal interests.”

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It’s psychology, professor…

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“I think most Singaporeans understand the need to reuse plastic bags. Just that

they don’t really see the problems caused by plastic bags yet.”

- An Environmental Expert

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Economic motivations

Consumers feel that in a way, they are already paying for the bags through the price of goods purchased. They also take the free plastic bags so that they do not need to purchase additional bags to dispose their general waste.

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Lack of mindfulness/planning

Consumers who forget to bring reusable bags with them may wish to reduce their use of plastic bags, but lack the mindfulness or commitment to do so.

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“All the recommendations put forth in our position paper would require a concerted effort

from stakeholders such as the government, retailers, academic organisations, environment

specialists and the public.”

- Mr Jose Raymond, Executive Director of the SEC

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Our vision

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1. Reusable bags

have to be super practical

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Ideal size: 60 x 40 cm

Eco-friendly fabric, reusable, chemical-free, long-lasting, water-resistant, washable.

Easy to carry and extremely good looking.

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2. Reusable bags

should make you look goo-ood!

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The Art Series

Peranakan Museum Singapore Art Museum ArtScience Museum National Gallery Singapore

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The Brand Series

Louis Vuitton Prada Nike Lacoste

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The Singlish Series

You are so arrogant I got delegated I was not invited! I am really bored

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BOJIO!

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KENAARROW!

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YA YAPAPAYA

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The Statement Series

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Can youafford

me?espi_

I’m more than a lifetime’s worth

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BUYSTOREKEEP

...REWIND

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A bit of field research

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Observations>Consumers have a positive stance towards buying and using reusable bags

>They have to be strong and easy to take along in a purse or coat pocket

>Ideal price point would be 4 to 5 SGD

>Consumers like the types of designs as shown; the art series scores best in

this small survey

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3. Reusable bags

deserve a strong campaign icon to convey the story

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Merlion could be the perfect icon for this campaign: > relates to nature/environment,

more specifically fish > is the national personification

of Singapore > strong and agile

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Merlion image still to be developed

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4. Reusable bags

deserve a role model

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Recommendations for retailers and government

1. Join forces Countries that have successfully diminished the use of plastic bags all formed a treaty between retailers and government.

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Recommendations for retailers and government

1. Join forces Countries that have successfully diminished the use of plastic bags all formed a treaty between retailers and government.

2. Want a bag? Have to ask lah! No more automatic packing into plastic bags by the cashiers.

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Recommendations for retailers and government

1. Join forces Countries that have successfully diminished the use of plastic bags all formed a treaty between retailers and government.

2. Want a bag? Have to ask lah! No more automatic packing into plastic bags by the cashiers.

3. Be honest, be LOUD Transparency about the environmental cost of plastic bags should be the focus of an awareness campaign, ideally with different messaging for different groups of consumers.

edenspiekermann_

Recommendations for retailers and government

1. Join forces Countries that have successfully diminished the use of plastic bags all formed a treaty between retailers and government.

2. Want a bag? Have to ask lah! No more automatic packing into plastic bags by the cashiers.

3. Be honest, be LOUD Transparency about the environmental cost of plastic bags should be the focus of an awareness campaign, ideally with different messaging for different groups of consumers.

4. Create incentives to Bring Your Own Bag Every Day A 10ct discount doesn’t cut it. Together, you can do better than that!

edenspiekermann_

Recommendations for retailers and government

1. Join forces Countries that have successfully diminished the use of plastic bags all formed a treaty between retailers and government.

2. Want a bag? Have to ask lah! No more automatic packing into plastic bags by the cashiers.

3. Be honest, be LOUD Transparency about the environmental cost of plastic bags should be the focus of an awareness campaign, ideally with different messaging for different groups of consumers.

4. Create incentives to Bring Your Own Bag Every Day A 10ct discount doesn’t cut it. Together, you can do better than that!

5. Make beautifully designed and truly practical reusable bags available everywhere.

amsterdam berlin los angeles san francisco singapore edenspiekermann_

Thank you ந"# Terima kasih