Retailers unite to acknowledge their role in reducing paper bag consumption and driving long-term environmental change
Manila, Philippines — In response to increasing environmental challenges the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) is leading a nationwide call to action to reduce paper bag consumption.
Dubbed “The Bag Habit,” the campaign urges Filipino shoppers to make bringing their own reusable bags as habitual as bringing their mobile phones.
Environmental reports estimate that the average Filipino uses around 170 shopping bags annually, resulting in millions of bags discarded each day. While paper is often perceived as the more sustainable option, its production carries a significant environmental cost. Data cited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) indicate that as many as 52,000 trees may be needed daily to meet paper bag demand in the Philippines.
The shift from plastic to paper was once promoted as a more sustainable solution and many consumers have already begun transitioning to paper bags believing this is sufficient. However, replacing one disposable material with another does not address the root issue.
While paper decomposes faster than plastic, its production accelerates deforestation, and when improperly discarded, paper bags can still clog drainage systems, worsening floods and landslides that repeatedly affect communities.
The deeper problem lies in overall consumption. The ultimate goal is not substitution, but rather, reducing reliance on single-use bags altogether by making reusable bags part of everyday habit. “The Bag Habit” seeks to shift consumer mindset from ‘paper bags are fine’ to ‘I always bring my own bag.’
The advocacy calls on retailers to work together in minimizing paper bag consumption through education and unified communication efforts. Participating retailers will also implement their own in-store and brand-led initiatives designed to encourage customers to build the habit of bringing reusable bags.
The campaign is proposed to formally launch in time for Earth Day 2026, reinforcing sustainability as a shared national responsibility.
PRA President Alice Liu emphasized the urgency of collective action saying “When calamities strike, we express concern. But once the waters subside, we return to old habits. The truth is, our everyday choices contribute to a much bigger environmental impact. ‘The Bag Habit’ is about making sustainability part of our daily routine. We want to make bringing reusable bags as routine as remembering to bring our phones with us daily.”
She added, “As retailers, we recognize the responsibility and the platform we have to help drive that behavioral shift.”
At the helm of the Bag Habit campaign is JHQ, PRA’s partner in driving meaningful environmental change and shaping a more sustainable retail culture. Through this collaboration, the campaign is strengthened by strategic brand development and a shared commitment to turning sustainability from a message into a movement.
Through a multi-phase campaign supported by JHQ and a growing network of partners, PRA aims to embed “The Bag Habit” into everyday Filipino life.
At its core, the advocacy underscores a simple truth: the fewer paper bags we use, the fewer trees are cut, the fewer drainages are clogged, and the more resilient our communities become.
PRA calls on Filipinos to be mindful of the bag habit and to shop with their own eco bag to make a difference.
Sources: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); United International Journal for Research & Technology (2025); Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (2019).
