Economy

HK authority seeks public views on extending bag levy

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-18 16:46

HONG KONG -- Public views are being sought on whether to extend the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags to cover all retailers in Hong Kong regardless of business scale, an official with the city's government said on Tuesday.

On the release of a public consultation document on the levy extension, Secretary for the Environment of the Hong Kong city government Edward Yau told reporters that the proposal will increase the fee's coverage from 3,000 major supermarkets, convenience stores and personal health and beauty stores, to a total of 60,000 retail outlets.

Except for those used on food hygiene grounds, handleless bags will also be regulated under the proposed extension.

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Public opinion is being sought on whether retailers should retain the HK$0.5 (6.4 cent) bag charge, rather than remitting it to the city's government.

"Since its implementation on July 7, 2009, the levy scheme has received good support from citizens and retailers and achieved remarkable results. It is time to move ahead to fully extend the scheme," Yau said.

It is estimated there has been a 90-percent reduction in the number of bags distributed by retailers taking part in the scheme.

About HK$25.5 million in levies was collected in the first year of its implementation, which was far less than the 200 million HK dollars originally estimated, showing the broad-based support of the public.

The city said the extension is one of several important initiatives to encourage waste reduction at source. "Hong Kong is facing an imminent and serious waste problem. I call on citizens and retailers to support this meaningful waste-reduction measure. Let us save money, and save the environment together," Yau said.