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Following is a question by the Hon Cyd Ho Sau-lan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (March 3) :

Question:

The quantity of abandoned plastic bags has been increasing sharply over the past three years, from 281,050 tonnes in 2001 to 388,360 tonnes in 2002 and to 371,940 tonnes (initial figure) in 2003. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the reasons for the sharp increase in the quantity of abandoned plastic bags;

(b) of the annual expenditure on the disposal of abandoned plastic bags in each of the past three years, and whether it has calculated the quantity of degradable plastic bags among such plastic bags; if so, of the results, and whether there are any treatment processes that can facilitate smooth decomposition of degradable plastic bags;

(c) whether the authorities have plans to promote the recycling of abandoned plastic bags; if so, of the details of such plans; if not, the reasons for that; and

(d) whether the authorities have plans to introduce measures to reduce the use of plastic bags; if so, of the details of such plans; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) In the past six years, the quantity of abandoned plastic bags disposed of at landfills was maintained at the range from 280,000 to 380,000 tonnes each year, accounting for 4.5% to 6% of all solid waste disposed of. However, we observe a rising trend in the quantity of abandoned plastic bags over the past three years, probably due to increased use of plastic bags and consumption of products with plastic bag packaging as a result of population growth and changes in people's living style.

(b) Abandoned plastic bags are disposed of at landfills together with other solid waste. Based on the weight of the abandoned plastic bags, we estimate that the annual disposal cost for abandoned plastic bags is around $23 million.

We do not keep statistics on the quantity of degradable plastic bags among all abandoned plastic bags. As far as we understand, bio-degradable plastic bags are not popular in the market. Thus, we do not have any special processes in place for treating bio-degradable plastic bags.

(c) & (d) In the past, our focus was more on reducing the use of plastic bags. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has carried out various educational and publicity campaigns to promote reduction in the use of plastic bags, such as promoting the use of reusable shopping bags and encouraging supermarkets and news stands to reduce distribution of plastic bags. Moreover, some supermarkets provide a refund of 10 cents for each bag not required by customers from the supermarkets. EPD has also provided training on reducing the use of plastic bags for the trades concerned, including organising seminars and formulating training guidelines. It has also worked with the trades to explore ways to reduce the use of plastic bags. EPD will continue to encourage the public and the trades to use fewer plastic bags through publicity and educational activities.

In view of the increased public awareness of waste separation and recovery, we consider it opportune to examine whether recovery of plastic bags would be practicable and economically viable. EPD therefore launched a trial scheme on plastic bag recovery in August 2002. Under the trial scheme, plastic bag collection bins are placed at the participating public/private housing estates and at the supermarkets in their vicinity to collect abandoned plastic bags for recycling. So far, the number of participating housing estates has increased from 8 to 32 and about 13.6 tonnes (approximately 2.4 million pieces) of plastic bags have been collected for recycling. EPD will continue to promote the trial scheme at these housing estates to encourage more residents to participate. It will also conduct a survey of residents' attitude towards plastic bag recovery so as to review the effectiveness of the trial scheme by the end of this year.

Moreover, we introduced a wet/dry waste sorting pilot scheme at four housing estates in the Eastern District on Hong Kong Island in March last year. The dry waste collected and sold to recyclers under the pilot scheme includes also abandoned plastic bags. We will carry out a review upon completion of the pilot scheme in March this year to examine the feasibility, logistics and cost-effectiveness of this form of waste recovery.

Ends/Wednesday, March 3, 2004

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