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The Under Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, visited a children's workshop and an elderly centre today (July 17) to promote the message of "Bring Your Own Bag" for shopping.
Dr Poon first visited the children's workshop held at Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong to see shopping bags designed by children. The workshop was organised by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) as part of its publicity and educational campaign on the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags.
The response was overwhelming. "The children are full of creativity. I encourage them to take their own design home to spread the green message to family members about taking their own shopping bags," Dr Poon said after appreciating their works.
Later, Dr Poon visited Cheung Wah Elderly Centre of Fung Ying Seen Koon in Fanling. She distributed environmental bags to senior citizens and encouraged them to take the bags when shopping. Dr Poon also reminded the elderly that the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags came into force on July 7 by showing them posters and video footage.
Dr Poon said she was thankful for the elderly's support of the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags. "By taking their own shopping bags, the senior citizens not only save money, but also set a good example to the younger generation," she said.
Under the environmental levy scheme, registered retailers are required to charge customers a 50 cent environmental levy for each plastic shopping bag provided. Such retailers include major and chain supermarkets, convenience stores, personal health and beauty stores, and supermarkets in department stores.
The EPD has held exhibitions and workshops at various venues around Hong Kong since May, including Times Square, Tuen Mun Town Plaza, Olympian City 2, Jusco Kornhill Shop and East Point City, to display information on the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags as well as to collect new ideas for creative alternatives to plastic shopping bags.
Ends/Friday, July 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:15
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