Of the 1.6 million tonnes of domestic waste in Singapore in 2018, one-third is made up of packaging. Most packaging for consumer goods, such as food, drinks, cleaning products and shampoo is used just once before being thrown away.

Unfortunately, many consumers discard packaging without much thought, especially if it was not designed to be reused or easily recycled. Also, single-use packaging such as disposable containers and cups also cannot be recycled as they are contaminated with food.

Package-free retailing catches on

In 2017, Zero Waste SG started the Bring-Your-Own Singapore Movement to rally retailers to offer incentives to customers who bring their own reusable bags, bottles or containers. The campaign involved 430 retail outlets and reduced over 2.5 million pieces of plastic disposables.

More than 200 companies signed the voluntary Singapore Packaging Agreement and made the commitment to reduce packaging waste from consumer products and the supply chain. Since the agreement was introduced in 2007, these companies have reduced more than 46,000 tonnes of packaging waste.

In tandem with the government’s efforts to reduce waste, Singapore has witnessed a huge rise in the growth and popularity of packaging-free shops in recent years. Shops such as Scoop Wholefoods, Unpackt and The Social Space are part of a new wave of local package-free stores aiming to minimize the environmental impact of shopping for groceries and everyday goods.

Packaging-free stores eliminate all forms of packaging, including the carrier bags used to transport goods. From fruit and vegetables, to spices and oils, dog food, to toothpaste and shampoos, customers can buy as much or as little as they need with reusable bags and containers from home to weigh and buy their goods in. The package-free retail trend fits into a broader zero-waste lifestyle movement seeking to encourage more sustainable and mindful shopping habits.

Going back to our roots



Package-free shopping is both the newest and the oldest trend in the book. Modern shops in trendy neighbourhoods of cities around the world, propagating a sustainable way to stock up on essentials is a new wave fueled by rising awareness of environmental issues. Old because our grandparents bought rice and sugar held in giant barrels, fruit out of wooden crates and milk straight from animals at the local grocery store, the market or the farmer. Less than 100 years ago, consumers often went straight to the source for much of their produce, minimising the impact on the environment caused by the transportation and packaging of goods.

It was only in the middle of the 20th century did pre-packaged goods on supermarket shelves begin to displace this old way of shopping. During this period, the Industrial Revolution sparked a tremendous change in the way goods were produced as machines led to faster and higher levels of production fueling greater demand for different types of packaging. Packaging, which was merely a way to hold goods, then became a sales tool that was meant to attract consumers to choose one brand of goods over another. The mass production of materials such as plastic and aluminum foil in factories also brought about the convenience of single use and “throw away” packaging.

Unfortunately, recycling alone will not be enough to solve the waste crisis we face today. Given the lack of space for another landfill in Singapore, we need to reduce the amount of waste we produce to prolong the lifespan of our landfill. The onus is on both citizens and businesses to rethink their consumption patterns and methods to generate less waste. Package-free stores are an important step forward in reversing the environmental challenges of waste.