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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, said he was delighted that the levy scheme on plastic shopping bags had successfully transformed the public's shopping habits and they were using fewer plastic shopping bags since the implementation of the scheme. He was speaking on the eve of the first anniversary of the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags.
"Since the implementation of the levy scheme on July 7 last year, the number of plastic shopping bags distributed by registered retailers has reduced by 90% in comparison with the situation before the scheme was in force. This shows that the levy scheme is remarkably effective. Many people are putting green living into practice by using fewer plastic shopping bags and bringing their own shopping bags," Mr Yau said at an event today (July 4) to celebrate the first anniversary of the levy scheme.
He thanked the general public and the retail sector for their co-operation and support for the levy scheme. The indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags had always been one of the major waste management problems in Hong Kong, he said. He called on the public to support the levy scheme by refraining from asking for plastic shopping bags, and to make good use of every environmental shopping bag and think twice before disposal.
Mr Yau said the achievement of the levy scheme was obvious and the scheme should move forward. The Government is now consolidating and analysing the relevant data and materials, as well as studying in detail the experiences of other places. For the next phase of the scheme, the Government will present different options for in-depth discussion by the public and the trade and will gather views for the purpose of drawing up details for a feasible proposal.
The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags is the first statutory Producer Responsibility Scheme implemented under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance. At present, the scheme covers around 3,000 major or chain supermarkets, convenience stores and personal health and beauty stores.
Ends/Sunday, July 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:46
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