Shoppers unprepared to go green on 'No Plastic Bag Day'

A campaign by major stores to stop giving out plastic bags got off to a lukewarm start yesterday.

Some shoppers said they were either unaware of the new measure or found it inconvenient to carry their own bags. Others said they had a right to receive free plastic bags.

More than 2,000 stores from 18 retail chains are taking part in the campaign, which extends the current 'No Plastic Bag Day' from a weekly to a daily event. Shoppers will not receive a plastic bag at cash counters unless they ask for it. They will not be charged for the bags, although some retailers will encourage shoppers to make donations to green groups. The aim is to save 400 million bags a year.

Caroline Mak Shui-king, chairwoman of Hong Kong Retail Management Association, said people needed time to adapt. 'It takes time to change the consumer's behaviour, but we are optimistic about that.'

Ms Mak said 12 other retail chains had recently promised to join the campaign and she hoped more media reports and publicity could attract greater attention.

Observations by a South China Morning Post reporter at major supermarket chains and convenience stores found that more than half of shoppers still asked for bags. A women in her 70s said she would not consider forgoing the bags.

'It is my right to get plastic bags because I have paid,' said Ms Ma, who asked for two bags at Wellcome. 'It would be extremely inconvenient if I don't get any plastic bags, especially when I buy a lot of things.'