Some stalls at new Sembawang hawker centre charging up to 80 cents for takeaway containers. Here's why

A Sembawang resident surnamed Jiang was all excited to visit the new Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre on the day of its opening on Saturday (Dec 17). 

After all, this long-awaited hawker centre is the first such facility in Sembawang in about 30 years.

Having made the trip there, the 42-year-old shared that she wanted to dine at the hawker centre but couldn't find any available seats, reported Shin Min Daily News.

Disappointed, she decided to take away her food only to be told that the container will cost her an extra 50 cents.

"I assume that the takeaway costs at hawker centre at most range from 20 to 30 cents and didn't expect it to be 50 cents," said Jiang, adding that she would bring her own container the next time.

It seems Jiang wasn't the only one caught by surprise by the high takeaway charges, with one Korean hawker stall charging 80 cents for a container, Shin Min reported. 

An employee at that stall shared how a customer "left immediately" upon hearing the 80 cents charge, and their takeaway charges had affected their business.

A check by the Chinese daily showed that the takeaway container charges at that hawker centre range from 20 cents to 80 cents. 

Some diners who were interviewed also balked at some of the takeaway charges, remarking that they'll either dine in or bring along their own containers in the future. 

One diner surnamed Cai said that she believed the high charges would invariably drive customers away.

Why so expensive?

A ban mian stall owner surnamed Lee told Shin Min that the hawkers are required to use biodegradable takeaway containers, with each costing about 50 cents.

The 27-year-old added that he decide to absorb part of the container costs to keep their takeaway charges at 30 cents instead.

Chen Zhuo Yi, the executive director of the Canopy Hawkers Group, told Shin Min that "the objective of using biodegradable containers is to make the hawker centre more environmentally friendly".

Canopy Hawkers Group is the managing company of Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre.

The group told AsiaOne today that they are aware that there has been feedback from the public on the prices of takeaway packaging charged at that hawker centre. And that the majority of the stalls were charging between 20 cents to 30 cents for takeaway packaging.

Joey Tan, managing director of Canopy Hawkers Group, said: "However, we have taken in the feedback and have quickly worked with our stallholders. We are also assisting our stallholders by sourcing and introducing vendors who offer bulk-buy programmes for takeaway packaging to keep costs low.

"All takeaway packaging will now be no more than 30 cents."

The group said that it aims to make Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre a green hawker centre through green practices.

"For example, we reduce the use of disposables and work with all our stallholders to ensure that disposable crockery and utensils will not be served for patrons who dine-in at the hawker centre," added Tan. 

"For patrons who do takeaway orders, we will encourage them to bring their own reusable containers."

Reduce use of disposables

Based on National Environment Agency's data, there were about 200,000 tonnes of disposables generated in 2020, consisting of food and beverage containers, tableware and utensils.

At this rate, Singapore's only landfill, Semakau Landfill, will be fully filled by 2035.

To tackle the issue, individuals as well as businesses are encourage to play their part, including reducing the use of disposables. 

ALSO READ: Greenfluencers share tips on how to minimise plastic waste from food deliveries and takeaways 

celest.tham@asiaone.com