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Ernest Kao

Five violations of the newly expanded plastic bag levy scheme have been registered since the end last Friday of a one-month grace period during which only verbal warnings were issued.
Each of the five offending retailers was fined HK$2,000.
Environment secretary Wong Kam-sing said it was hard to gauge whether the number was high or low, but the rules of the revamped levy scheme were now "very clear". More than 70 verbal warnings were issued during what Wong said was an "effective" grace period.
Of the five violations, just one related to a food item, while the other four involved items bought at a pharmacy, hardware store, piano school and dental clinic.
The Environmental Protection Department said that as of Monday it had inspected 9,778 retail outlets and received 5,188 inquiries or complaints about the levy scheme.
"After one month, most should clearly understand what needs to be charged and what is exempt," Wong said in a radio interview yesterday. "But of course from an environmental perspective, it is always just good to bring your own shopping bag."
He said the HK$2,000 penalty was a big enough incentive and "far higher than the fine for illegal parking".
Some 100,000 retailers fall under the scope of the expanded scheme, which only covered 3,300 when introduced in 2009. Customers must pay 50 cents for a plastic bag unless their goods fall under exemptions such as food hygiene or prepackaging.
Local plastic bag makers say they are feeling the pinch.
"Sales have dropped about 30 per cent [since April 1]," said Ash Lui, sales manager at Wah Shing Plastic Bags.
"Those in the catering industry are still ordering but those heavily covered by the scheme are basically keeping orders of plastic bags at a minimum."
He said at least 20 plastic bag manufacturers - facing competition from the mainland and high local production costs - had shut last year knowing they would soon face the added blow of the expanded levy scheme.
Moon Chan of Wing Kai Plastic Products said business was down about 10 to 20 per cent and she worried the drop would continue. "Order sizes are getting smaller and retailers don't want any surplus ," she said.


Fines being issued for expanded Hong Kong plastic bag levy

The expanded bag levy started with a grace period. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Only one of the HK$2,000 penalties handed out related to a food item


Five violations of the newly expanded plastic bag levy scheme have been registered since the end last Friday of a one-month grace period during which only verbal warnings were issued.


Fines being issued for expanded Hong Kong plastic bag levy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Only one of the HK$2,000 penalties handed out related to a food item

Only one of the HK$2,000 penalties handed out related to a food item