Plastic bag use at Hong Kong newsstands down by 90pc since government levy, say green groups

Green groups have praised an expanded government levy scheme they say has helped reduce plastic bag use at newsstands by nearly 90 per cent since it came into force six months ago.

A survey by Greeners Action of 160 newspaper vendors found 79 per cent no longer pre-bagged newspapers and magazines in plastic, while 90 per cent of 1,112 consumers polled no longer requested them since a 50 cent per bag levy was applied on May 1.

Greeners' executive director Angus Ho Hon-wai said overuse of plastic bags at newsstands had been "very serious" before the levy was implemented, with the industry alone doling out a staggering 92 million plastic bags in 2012, most ending up in landfill.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Hong Kong’s new 50 cent plastic bag charge

"In the past, many consumers demanded bags either because they worried about rain or the newspapers being dirty," said Ho. "Overall, we see the trend is quite positive and fewer people are demanding bags."

Ho stressed, however, that there was much more room for improvement. The survey showed that a third of vendors were still offsetting the cost of the levy by offering customers a discount on newspapers.

Publishers could also do more to reduce packaging, while the government needed to educate customers to refuse free bags at other retail outlets even if they are covered by the myriad of exemptions, ranging from food hygiene to prepackaging.

"Even if there is an exemption, it doesn't mean you must take one," said Green Power chief executive Man Chi-sum. "We should aim to instil the mindset that one plastic bag is already one too many."