UNIQLO Malaysia Promotes Waste Reduction with Bag Charge

Retailer Encourages Customers to Bring Their Own Reusable Bags

With effect from September 1, 2021, UNIQLO Malaysia will provide customers with shopping bags upon request for RM0.30 each for all shopping bag sizes. This move is introduced in line with retailer efforts globally to reduce waste, and is part of UNIQLO’s strong commitment to preserving natural resources. Customers are also encouraged to bring their own reusable bags whenever they shop at any UNIQLO store nationwide.

Explaining the decision to charge for shopping bags which stems from its parent company’s sustainability commitments, Yuki Yamada, CEO of UNIQLO Malaysia and Singapore said: “As a global company committed to design, make and sell our clothing responsibly and with respect for the environment, one of our sustainability goals is to reduce the environmental impact created through our business activities”.

He continued: “In 2017, we switched from plastic to paper bags for our customers in Malaysia to reduce single-use plastic, and this change is gradually realized in our product packaging as well.

In 2020, we also started using environmentally friendly shopping bags, made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper that is harvested in a responsible manner. But this is not enough. Too often paper bags become paper waste after a single use, squandering one of our planet’s precious natural resources”.

“We hope the small charge that comes with every shopping bag for our customers going forward will serve as a reminder to help them to do their part for the environment and to bring their own reusable bag for the next shopping trip,” explained Yamada.

Besides charging for shopping bags, UNIQLO Malaysia will be making announcements in-store to promote shopping with eco-friendly or reusable bags. To promote the sustainable initiative at selected stores*, UNIQLO will give away an upcycled pouch to customers who make a minimum purchase of RM200 with their own reusable bags from September 13-26** while stocks last.

* This shopping reward applies exclusively at UNIQLO stores at DA Square, Sunway Pyramid, Queensbay Mall, Mid Valley, Southkey, Imago KK Times Square and The Spring Kuching.
** Subject to changes depending on stores’ reopening dates.