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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 17) issued a public consultation document on the Extension of the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags. The consultation will last for three months.
"Since its implementation on July 7, 2009, the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags has received good support from citizens and relevant retailers, and achieved remarkable results. It is time to move ahead to fully extend the scheme," the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, said.
The consultation document proposes to fully extend the levy scheme to cover all retailers regardless of scale with a view toward maximising waste reduction. It contains detailed analysis and justifications for the proposal, and sets out recommendations on several important issues of implementation, including the exemption provision and ways of handling the levy income collected, for public discussion.
The levy scheme is the first statutory producer responsibility scheme implemented under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance. At present, the scheme covers some 3,000 major or chain supermarkets, convenience stores and personal health and beauty stores.
Since the implementation of the levy scheme, the number of plastic shopping bags distributed by registered retailers is estimated to have fallen by about 90%. About $25.5 million in levies was collected under the levy scheme in the first year of its implementation, which was far less than the $200 million originally estimated, indicating that the scheme has obtained broad-based support from the public.
In January this year, the Government announced its comprehensive and complete strategy and updated action plan to tackle the waste problem in Hong Kong using a multi-pronged approach. The extension of the levy scheme is one of several important initiatives to encourage waste reduction at source.
"Hong Kong is facing an imminent and serious waste problem. I call on citizens and retailers to support this meaningful waste-reduction measure. Let us save money, and save the environment together," Mr Yau said.
The consultation document has been uploaded to the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/psb_extension_consultation). Members of the public can also obtain the document from the EPD and District Offices. The public may forward their views and comments to the EPD on or before August 16 by post, email or facsimile. Details are as follows:
By post:
Environmental Protection Department
Waste Management Policy Group
Room 4522, 45/F, Revenue Tower
5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
By email: psbprs@epd.gov.hk
By facsimile: 2318 1877
Ends/Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:31
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