• 8.2 million plastic bags saved in 2013 through ongoing Green Rewards initiative
  
• Ongoing efforts to refresh stores for a greener shopping experience

SINGAPORE, 17 APRIL 2014 – In commemoration with the celebration of Earth Day, NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice) announced that it has saved a record 8.2 million plastic bags in 2013. This is a 12 percent year-on-year increase, achieved through its Green Rewards Scheme as part of its commitment to protect the environment and conserve resources. Introduced in 2007, the Green Rewards Scheme gave out about $410,000 last year, which is an increase of more than 12 percent compared to the year before; to shoppers for bringing their own bags. To further encourage more customers to bring their own bags, FairPrice also has dedicated “BYOB checkout lanes” in four stores to serve only customers who do not need a plastic bag.

Mr Koh Kok Sin, Chairman of the FairPrice Green Committee, said, “Preserving and protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility and we are heartened that our shoppers share in our commitment to save resources and be environmentally friendly by using less plastic bags. Beyond this, we will continue to do our part to build a sustainable environment by implementing various eco-friendly measures in various aspects of our operations.”

FairPrice is in the process of installing five eco-features in all stores by 2016 as part of ongoing efforts to refresh stores for a greener shopping experience. The five eco-friendly design guidelines are currently in place for new and renovated stores. To date, 50 outlets are installed with these features.

The following are some of FairPrice’s initiatives in sustainability:

1. FairPrice Green Rewards Scheme

• Only supermarket retailer to have a Green Rewards scheme where customers are given a 10-cents rebate for bringing their own bags and with a minimum purchase of $10
• About $410,000 in Green Rebates was given out in 2013, a 12 percent increase from 2012 
• Saved over 8.2 million plastic bags in 2013 through this initiative, a 12 per cent increase year-on-year
• Introduced in 2007 where FairPrice was also the first supermarket retailer to have an initiative to encourage shoppers to save plastic  bags daily

2. FairPrice’s eco-friendly supermarkets

• FairPrice was the first supermarket to launch an eco-friendly supermarket in City Square Mall in December 2009 which showcased the latest eco-friendly solutions in grocery retailing 
• Its intention is to provide a green shopping environment and raise environmental consciousness among shoppers, as well as encouraging them to Think Green and Shop Green.
• The store is designed with the basic principles of reduce, reuse and recycle in mind. 
• Innovations such as dedicated “Green Lane” check outs for customers using their own bags, store fixtures and fittings recycled from other stores, energy efficient lighting, recycling stations for food waste and reverse vending machines for cans and bottles. 
• In addition, the store has a dedicated aisle that stocks environmentally-friendly products.
• There are five eco-friendly design guidelines in place for new and renovated stores. To date, 50 outlets are installed with these features and FairPrice aims to implement them in all stores by 2016. 

3. Pioneer partner for Building & Construction Authority (BCA)’s Green Mark Portfolio Programme

• In September 2013, FairPrice committed to achieving Green Mark certifications for at least 20 stores under the BCA Green Mark Portfolio Programme by 2016
• Three of our supermarkets have since been certified with the BCA Green Mark for Supermarkets Award
• FairPrice@ZhongShan Park has achieved the Green Mark Platinum, the highest award in the Supermarket category, Finest@MyVillage achieved Green Mark Gold Plus and FairPrice@AMK712 was certified Gold
• Eco-features at the three branches include:
• Energy Management System Enables Remote Monitoring of energy consumption patterns from the headquarters(i.e., refrigeration, lighting, receptacle and air-conditioning consumption)
• Integrated Lighting Management where use of LED lighting in store and on display cabinets with occupancy sensors to help conserve energy
• Eco-Products “Choose Green” wobblers placed on shelves to attract customers’ attention and promote Eco-friendly product options.

4. Put in place a Green Policy in 2010 which included guidelines such as

• Use energy-saving lighting
• Install motion sensor lighting for our office
• Install all water taps with water-saving devices
• Reduce paper use
• Use reusable shopping grocery bags for staff purchases