************************************************************
The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, officiated today (May 24) at the launch ceremony of the "Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags" publicity campaign, calling on people to take their own bags instead of using plastic shopping bags.
The scheme which will take effect from July 7 requires registered retailers to charge customers not less than 50 cents for each shopping bag with handle provided from registered retail outlets.
A prescribed retailer is required to apply for registration with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) as a registered retailer in respect of its qualified retail outlets, if it is to continue to provide plastic shopping bags to customers from July 7.
Prescribed retailers include major and chain supermarkets, convenience stores, personal health and beauty stores, and department stores. Prescribed retailers are advised to submit their registration applications to the EPD on or before June 5 to ensure adequate time for processing before the levy scheme begins.
"It's my pleasure to have guests from the Legislative Council, representatives of the environmental groups and celebrities here today showing their support for BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)," Mr Yau said at the ceremony.
"In Hong Kong, the public is becoming more conscious of protecting the environment and we are striving to keep it better for our next generation. From today¡¦s exhibition, interesting ideas of alternatives to plastic shopping bags show the creativity of the Hong Kong public. With an effort from all of us, I am confident that we will be able to reduce the local consumption of plastic shopping bags by billions within a year."
The exhibition at the Times Square yesterday and today (May 23 and 24) will also be held at other venues around Hong Kong by the EPD, displaying information on the "Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags". The section of various creative alternatives to plastic shopping bags will be enriched with new ideas as the exhibition tours around the city.
EPD is also organising a "My Dream Shopping Bag" design competition for students to raise public awareness of environmental protection and BYOB and to show their creativity. The deadline of the submission will be the end of June and the winners will be announced in early July. For more information about the design competition, please visit the following website: (www.adbrownies.com/epd).
Ends/Sunday, May 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:37
NNNN
