STO Starts Charging for Shopping Bags in Bid to Reduce Usage of Plastic

Customers will now be able to purchase both plastic and paper shopping bags from STO People’s Choice according to a decision made by State Trading Organization. The decision comes in regard to put more of an effort in cutting back on the use of plastic bags from the public. Effective from July 17^th, STO will start charging for bags at a rate of MVR 2.5 per Plastic bag, while paper bags cost MVR 2.
 
The supermarket advised customers to bring backup plans, like cloth bags, when they went shopping. The organization had preiously tried to persuade the public to use cloth bags instead of plastic bags by offering small discounts however, observation was made that the community has not adopted the habit, though.
 
The customer now has the choice to not pay any additional charges when they bring their cloth bags with the price set not necessarily large or small. As the organization deals with enforcing habits that the community is not accustomed to, they anticipate facing resistance on some level.

[Cover Photo: STO]