Hong Kong to sell rubbish bags with special labels to ensure only approved ones used for waste charging
- Bags to be sold at more than 3,000 designated stores and online platforms, Environmental Protection Department says
- Online posts offered bags for sale that appeared to be from trial phase, authorities say after investigation
Hong Kong residents can purchase government-approved rubbish bags carrying labels of authenticity from more than 3,000 designated stores and online platforms starting next month, the city’s environment minister has said.
Authorities earlier launched an investigation into allegations that internet users were selling trial versions of the designated rubbish bags months before the roll-out of the charging scheme on April 1.
“The designated bags are printed with labels containing anti-counterfeiting features, allowing people to easily tell whether they are fake,” Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Saturday said.
“I urge the public to avoid buying the bags from unknown sources. We will cooperate with customs to step up inspection and law enforcement against the selling of fake bags.”
More than 3,000 authorised online platforms and sales points would start selling the designated bags and labels from next month onwards, the Environmental Protection Department said.