ParknShop hands out fewer bags under new policy

More shoppers took their own bags yesterday as ParknShop began giving out plastic bags only on request.

About a third of customers at a store in Heng Fa Chuen had their own bags, said the supermarket's operations manager, Ernest Low, who spent all day observing events.

'Only one in 10 customers brought along a shopping bag before we carried out the new plastic bag policy, but now three in 10 customers have their own bags ready,' he said.

The new policy had also boosted sales of environment friendly shopping bags by 20 per cent, Mr Low said.

'More varieties of environment-friendly shopping bags will come into the market to meet customers' needs. It is the first time we have introduced shopping bags that are designed for bottles, for example.'

Under the new policy, shoppers are not automatically handed bags. If they want one they are given a biodegradable bag and encouraged to pay a 20 cent donation. ParknShop will use the money to promote environment protection. But customers will get free bags if they refuse to pay.

Customer Susan Lee paid a dollar for five bags. 'I only learned about the new policy when I was about to pay, and I had bought so many things that I could not carry them all without plastic bags. But I will remember to bring my own shopping bags when I come to shop again.'