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Following is a question by the Hon Ho Chung-tai and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (December 4) :

Question

Regarding the Plastic Bags (Domestic) Recovery Trial implemented by the Environmental Protection Department in late August this year, will the Government inform this Council of:

(a) the total weight of plastic bags discarded in the past three years;

(b) the reasons for not launching the trial scheme until August this year; and

(c) the details of the trial scheme?

Reply

Madam President,

(a) We estimate that in 1999, 2000 and 2001, about 386 000, 301 000 and 280 000 tonnes of plastic bags were disposed of at landfills respectively.

(b) In the past, our focus was more on reducing the use of plastic bags. The Environmental Protection Department has carried out a number of campaigns to promote the use of reusable shopping bags and reduce the distribution of plastic bags by supermarkets and news stands. Earlier this year, in view of the increased public awareness and use of the waste separation bins, we considered it opportune to examine whether recycling of plastic bags would be practical and economically viable. We therefore carried out a trial scheme on plastic bags collection in August 2002.

(c) Under the trial scheme, 164 plastic bags collection bins are placed at eight public/private housing estates and 109 convenient stores/supermarkets in their vicinity. Special publicity campaigns are also carried out at these estates to encourage residents to dispose of used plastic bags in the bins. So far, the results have been encouraging. The trial scheme will be completed in February 2003. We will then review the scheme's cost-effectiveness and viability, and will consider if the scheme should be extended to cover more housing estates.

End/Wednesday, December 4, 2002

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