The distribution of thin plastic bags will be banned on the
mainland in less than five months, and the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region government may tax the bags by early next
year.
The State Council announced in a circular yesterday that its ban on
the mainland will start June 1. Under the order, shops and grocery
stores, for instance, won't be allowed to bag up goods in free
plastic bags.
Even the buying and selling of the thin bags - less than 0.025mm
thick - will be banned on the mainland, according to the
circular.
The State Council members hope the new measures limit the use of
plastic bags and save energy, the circular says.
Also yesterday, the Hong Kong Government introduced a levy of
HK$0.50 on plastic bag to the Legislative Council. The action comes
under the Product Eco-responsibility Bill.
Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau told the council that
the tax could first be applied to chain supermarkets, convenience
stores and personal health stores for about a year. After that, the
government would consider expanding the levy's reach.
"The levy can effectively limit the overuse of plastic shopping
bags in Hong Kong," Yau said. "Our landfill survey shows that Hong
Kong people use more than three plastic bags, on average, every
day, which is much higher than overseas.
"Public consultation from May to July last year revealed that
the majority of Hong Kong people support the levy.
"We estimate that the levy (early next year on those initial
retailers) will help reduce about 1 billion, or 50 percent, of the
plastic bags used in Hong Kong each year," he said.
Edwin Lau Che-feng, director of Friends of the Earth Hong Kong,
said the State Council's new measures showed the mainland's
determination to change people's habit of overusing plastic
bags.
With the mainland as an example, he hoped the levy on plastic
bags could be introduced in Hong Kong as soon as possible.
However, he also pointed out that the government did not make an
initial assessment on electrical waste.
For instance, he said many people have thrown out their old
televisions and bought high-definition ones.
"Our landfills are already full. Where should the old
televisions go?" he asked. "The government should promote
responsible consumption among Hong Kong people."
(China Daily HK Edition January 10, 2008)
