Penalizing retailers for handing out disposable plastic bags to customers: Why not apply now?

Readers of Tuoi Tre Online suggest that single-use plastic bags should be banned not only in supermarkets and commercial centers but also in markets and retail stores and should be done as soon as possible – Photo: TU TRUNG

“From 2026, supermarkets and trade centers will be sanctioned for providing disposable plastic bags to customers,” said Nguyen Trung Thang, deputy director of the Institute of Strategy, Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Science and Technology). Natural Resources and Environment) – said at the seminar summarizing the pilot project “Initiative to establish a supermarket alliance to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bags in Vietnam” (PLASTIC ALLIANCE project), taking place on April 20 in Hanoi.

The above information has attracted the attention of readers Youth Onlinein which many readers expressed their desire to apply now or next year, instead of waiting until 4 years later.

In the poll of Tuoi Tre Online, the majority of readers suggested that it should be applied “immediately and always” with 434 comments, while 64 respondents said that they should wait until 2026 and 4 others.

“If you don’t now, never, if you decide, then do it now and forever”, readers Phuc suggestion. You read Quang Nguyen also idea: “Why does it take so long? 2023 applies already! Before it was Metro, now Mega doesn’t give out bags to customers, they’re still active”.

“Completely support. In European countries when going to the supermarket, people bring their own bags, but supermarkets do not give them free or have to buy them. It should be implemented immediately in 2023 and the scope of application should be wider than all markets, commercial centers, convenience stores …”, reader Tri suggested.

Some other readers said that it should be applied from 2024 to give retailers time to prepare.

Meanwhile, readers Do suggested: “Should tighten, move to ban all single-use plastic products by 2026. Supermarkets and commercial centers use plastic bags not as much as outside retail. A cup of coffee including cups and lids, straws, bags. Food packages include styrofoam boxes, spoons, one or more sauce bags. Instant noodles have 3-5 plastic bags…”.

You read K.Nam also hopes to expand the ban on single-use plastic bags in markets and retail stores…Currently, supermarkets all use biodegradable plastic bags, in contrast to traditional markets, retail stores have not used this type of bag. It is necessary to overcome this, to sanction it in traditional markets and retail stores for the project to be feasible,” this reader wrote.

Share how I say no to plastic bags, PPT readers wrote: “I always bring my own environmental bags when I go to the supermarket. I have practiced for nearly a few years continuously, and calculated how many plastic bags I can save. When I buy coffee, I bring a thermos bottle, avoid plastic cups, straws as much as possible… I work so hard now that the coffee sellers and supermarket cashiers feel normal (at first, I was embarrassed). ). In short, it’s not that difficult, guys.”.

Readers also think that Manufacturers, designers, especially young manufacturers and designers, should seize the opportunity to develop reusable bags with eye-catching and trendy designs to serve the needs of people and help them say no to plastic bags.