Hong Kong government may charge consumers for using plastic bags to carry frozen goods and fresh bakery items, environment minister says
- ‘Flat-top’ bags are currently given for free to maintain food hygiene or unpackaged fresh produce and frozen or refrigerated items
- Government also wants to eliminate microbeads from the market
The Hong Kong government may charge consumers for using polythene bags to carry frozen goods and fresh bakery items, the environment minister has said, while outlining his strategy to tackle the city’s mounting plastic waste problem.
Plastic packaging at supermarkets will be reduced, while the use of microbeads in cosmetic products will be eliminated altogether as part of a plan to engage with Hong Kong’s major retailers and businesses, Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing said in an interview with the Post.
“We will take a comprehensive approach and look at tightening regulations on plastic bags when buying cold or frozen meat, for example. At the moment, it is exempted no matter how many bags you take, but is it necessary?” Wong said.
Under the existing regulations, “flat-top” bags without handles can be given for free if they are used to maintain food hygiene, or packaging unwrapped fresh produce and frozen or cold items.
Wong said the plastic bag levy – which is currently HK$0.5 – would be reviewed as part of an Environment Bureau review next year, which would take into consideration “complicated economic conditions”.