SINGAPORE: Hao Mart and Ang Mo Supermarket are no longer required to charge customers for plastic bags after being deregistered from the National Environment Agency‘s (NEA) disposable carrier bag charge scheme. This marks a significant moment, as it’s the first time any supermarket operator has been delisted since the scheme’s inception in July 2023.
According to NEA, both supermarkets successfully applied for deregistration at the end of 2025 because their annual turnover fell below the threshold of S$100 million for three consecutive years.
Details of the Deregistration
- The deregistration means they no longer have to charge for disposable bags or report the number issued and proceeds collected.
- Despite this, both supermarkets can still decide whether to charge for bags at their discretion.
- Other major retailers like FairPrice and Cold Storage remain obliged to charge a minimum of five cents per bag.
Charging Discretion and Financials
Although Hao Mart and Ang Mo Supermarket are allowed to stop charging for plastic bags, both have continued to charge the standard fee of five cents at some of their outlets as of 2024. For instance, Hao Mart reported collecting S$21,143.50 in 2024 from 422,870 plastic bags, but none of the proceeds were channelled to charitable causes. Instead, the funds primarily covered their Goods and Services Tax (GST) and operating expenses.
A spokesperson from Hao Mart remarked, “Provision of plastic bags remains an expense,” hinting that despite the deregistration, the cost considerations are still significant.
Current Situation
Currently, the NEA’s website lists several supermarket operators still enrolled in the scheme, which aims to promote sustainable practices across the grocery sector. Registered supermarkets are required to publish annual reports detailing their bag usage and the allocation of proceeds from the charges, fostering transparency and accountability.
This move aligns with Singapore’s broader goals to reduce plastic waste and encourage more sustainable consumer habits.