Ban use of plastic bags in Singapore - Save the environment!

Situation:
- The use of plastic bags in supermarkets and malls in Singapore is appalling, to say the least.
- The use of disposable plates and cups is unprecedented

Complication:
- ~500billion- 1 trillion plastic bags are used per year (2 million bags per minute) leading to death of atleast 1 million sea birds and 100,000+ mammals EACH year
- There are other multiple adverse affects such as spread of diseases, floods, plastic ingestion amongst others
- The largest opposition to the ban of plastic bags comes from the petroleum and plastics industries, and ofcourse, consumers who don't want to change their habits

Resolution:
- BAN: France and some parts of India have recently banned the use of plastic bags and disposable bottles/cups/plates. Pros: Immediate effect, high compliance of laws in Singapore. Cons: Consumer mindset, high cost to set up the ban in the short run but there are long term benefits
- IMPOSE TAX: Countries like Ireland and Denmark impose a tax on plastic bags, In Denmark, the tax led to 60% reduction in usage of bags. Pros: Change seen at a consumer level, low cost. Cons: might face initial resistance as tax will be collected directly from the consumer
- BIODEGRADABLE BAGS: A few South American countries use biodegradable bags - can slowly start introducing these in the market, thereby cutting down the usage of plastic.