Indications are that the first three months of the government's scheme to cut the use of plastic shopping bags has been highly successful. With more than half of the 21 participating retailers having made reports, a total of HK$3.2 million has been collected from the levy of 50 cents per bag. Keeping the economic downturn in mind, the preliminary data points to between 80 and 90 per cent fewer bags being handed out by the retailers involved. Authorities are to be commended for overcoming years of objections from certain sections of the business community to enforce the programme; they should now promptly widen its scope to the tens of thousands of remaining shops.
The levy was introduced after much discussion, debate and hand-wringing. At least a decade passed between environmentalists first calling for less use of plastic bags and the government taking the idea up. Another two went by before legislators approved the proposal. Given the ease with which it has been implemented and accepted by shoppers, we have to wonder what the fuss was all about.
The sometimes vehement arguments made by critics have proven unfounded. We were led to believe people would be too lazy to take their own bags when shopping. There has been no marked upsurge in sales of garbage bags, nor are an extraordinary number of items now being packaged in plastic with handles to make them easier to carry. With no complaint and an understanding that plastic bags are bad for the environment, people have accepted the levy. Most of us do not think twice about taking bags with us when we shop. There is a twinge of guilt in the back of our minds whenever we are unprepared and have to buy a bag. We wonder why there are still so many stores not included in the scheme.
Whatever the reach and success of the levy, however, it has to be remembered that it is only the smallest of steps in making Hong Kong an environmentally responsible city. It taps directly into the need for recycling, yet does not put in place the processes necessary to make that happen. Shopping with cloth bags or backpacks does not address our most pressing environmental concern: making the heavily polluted air we presently breathe healthier.
Other measures the government is taking towards our environment fall into a similar basket. The plan Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced in his policy address earlier this month to encourage the use of energy-saving light bulbs will have minimal impact on reducing electricity use. Efforts to get our biggest polluters, the two power companies and transport operators, to use cleaner fuel are voluntary, not enforced by law.
The measures are piecemeal and do not go far enough. Reducing air pollution and the amount of rubbish we generate is essential, but the government's response lacks urgency. It should be tackling the problems in a co-ordinated, concerted manner through a well-defined environmental policy. Disconnected part-steps are no answer. Putting off until later what can be done now in the name of appeasing various interests is wrong.