Use an eco-friendly tote bag, get a discount.

Department store Tangs followed in the footsteps of supermarket chains by introducing this new green measure this year.

It was one of several such measures – including putting up energy- saving Christmas decorations – that earned the store the inaugural Green Retailer of the Year award from the Singapore Retailers Association in October.

Tangs was one of two winners, the other being The Body Shop.

Tangs’ assistant vice-president of marketing and communications, Ms Lin Pei Hua, said its green efforts dovetailed with its values of being a responsible retailer.

“We are promoting consumerism, but we must be responsible in letting people know there are alternatives.

“It also reinforces the positioning of our brand.”

Tangs’ shoppers get 80 cents off their bill when they use the store’s tote bag, and 40 cents off for using other eco-friendly bags.

Retailers like furniture store Ikea go further by charging customers five to 10 cents for each plastic bag, while supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice gives customers 10 cents back when they use their own bag and spend at least $10.

Ms Lin said that Tangs cashiers are also trained to ask customers if they need a bag.

“It’s not ingrained in our shoppers yet to refuse a plastic bag. But if you remind them, they will say they don’t need the bag. They do feel a bit guilty.”

Tangs’ green efforts started when one of its vendors, beauty brand Clarins, set up an exhibit last year at its Orchard store to educate customers about measuring their carbon footprint.

Other vendors have since partnered Tangs to promote their eco-friendly products.

Tangs also cut back on glossy promotional mailers by encouraging its card members to go online. Window dressing has also gone green.

Tangs will continue to promote the green message in the new year, said Ms Lin. Its first sale of the year in February will come with a tagline to remind shoppers to be environmentally responsible.

This article was first published in The Sunday Times.