EditorialHong Kong’s e-shops need to clean up plastic bags act

From grocery to fashion, e-shopping has made life more convenient. However, both relevant regulation and enforcement are often lagging, if not absent. More often than not, such online activities tend to be left outside the ambit of the law until problems arise. And even when they are covered, the lack of a physical presence means enforcement may not be as vigorous as it should be.

This appears to be the case with the enhanced plastic bag levy. The Consumer Council has received complaints that some traders and online shopping platforms have overcharged for bags and handed out too many since the levy was raised to at least HK$1 each late last year. A subsequent test by the council showed the use of plastic bags in online grocery shopping was chaotic, with some shoppers not receiving them after payment, while others did without paying. The council only got the right number of bags that it paid for in six of the 69 trial orders placed.

The findings are perhaps not surprising, though. While retailers and consumers are well aware that the levy has doubled, many are still unclear about what items come with a free plastic bag. This owes much to insufficient publicity and promotion. Those doing the packaging probably have no idea, or do not care who has paid for how many bags.

The problems are aggravated by misunderstanding or a lack of clear guidelines and training on the part of retailers. A closer examination by the council found some platforms only stated that “a small sum will be charged” on the use of plastic bags, while others said the charge would be “based on the weight and size of the goods”. Some did not even have any relevant information. None gave the option to decline the use of bags.

The watchdog is to be commended for flagging such irregularities. Officials have stressed that the internet and online activities are not outside the reach of the law. The fact that delivery is carried out behind a screen does not mean statutory requirements can be ignored. It makes a mockery of efforts to protect the environment if compliance and enforcement are simply confined to physical shopping activities.