It's amazing how a little word like "NO" can have such an effect on how we reduce waste. In turn, it can have a real impact on our environment and indirectly even our own pockets. Consider this sobering fact – Singaporeans use 2.5 billion plastic bags a year. That is 2,500 plastic bags per year, for each family. Or almost 7 plastic bags a day per family. Most of these are often thrown away because although we use them for our trash daily, we can't deny that there will always be more bags than we actually need. This waste only means greater costs to our environment. And don't forget the big bucks spent on making these bags. One way or another, these costs trickle down and it is you who pays the price in the end. That's why plastic bags never have been or will be "free".

So, how does "NO" help? It's simple. When you shop at IKEA, just saying "NO" to plastic bags will be a small but important step to reduce wastage and usage. And what better day to start this effort than on 22 April, Earth Day itself. From this day onwards, IKEA Singapore, together with your help, will take a stand by not giving away plastic bags to our customers. Instead, we encourage you to bring your own reusable or recyclable shopping bags. You may also purchase a reusable and durable blue IKEA shopping bag at $1.20 reduced from $2.90. We know breaking the "plastic bag habit" may take getting used to so should the need arise, we still have our plastic bags available for 5¢ or 10¢ depending on the size. To make the effort even more worthwhile, proceeds from plastic bag sales will be donated to the WWF Singapore Conservation Fund to assist fieldwork that helps fight against the haze that affects Singapore every year, and at the same tim e global warming, a long term threat to our island. So say "NO" to plastic bags now and you automatically say "YES" to less waste, haze and global warming. That's the power of a simple word.

• About 2.5 billion plastic bags are used every year in Singapore. That's about 2,500 bags used per family per year.
• Plastic bags are made from oil, a finite resource. If each family uses one less plastic bag a week, Singapore could save 40 million bags each year.
• By using reusable bags during our shopping trips, we will use fewer plastic bags and help to conserve the earth's resources.
• Plastic bags thrown away as litter, dirty our public places, rivers and canals, and may even clog up drains, and this would lead to stagnant water and mosquito breeding.
• Plastic bags litter despoils nature trails, beaches and even chokes up mangroves and poses a threat to marine lives.

When I first saw it, I didn't realize it was the word "No" till I looked closer. I must say though that the advertisement was very tastefully done and creative enough.

However, a thought just ran through my mind. I strongly suspect that a whole big batch of plastic bags has been ordered for the purpose of this advertisement shoot. It seems a big waste, no? But I guess if one was to look at the bigger picture, then it is a small "investment".

I do hope though that the bags are channeled back to the stores for use. If they were simply dumped, it would be such a sinful waste, not to mention a step back on its initiative to cut waste.