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The Acting Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, today (August 20) continued her tour of the districts to promote the message of "Bring Your Own Bag" (BYOB) for shopping.
Dr Poon this afternoon visited Sai Cho Wan Lutheran Centre for the Elderly of Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service at Cha Kwo Ling, Kwun Tong, to appeal for the support of the elderly in taking their own shopping bags. She distributed environmental bags to senior citizens and reminded them that the Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags came into force on July 7 by showing them posters and video footage.
¡§Since the implementation of the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags, information shows more than 80% of people, including the elderly, are bringing their own shopping bags. Support of the elderly is particularly important to our green living promotion. The senior citizens can set a good example to the younger generation,¡¨ Dr Poon said. She also hosted a quiz at the centre to enhance the elderly's knowledge of environmental protection. The response was overwhelming.
The Environmental Protection Department has been organising various promotional and educational activities since May to disseminate the green message of BYOB to people of different age groups and introducing the environmental levy scheme to various sectors of the community. Dr Poon has been visiting elderly centres territory-wide to promote BYOB to senior citizens.
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.
Ends/Thursday, August 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00
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