Hong Kong produces millions of tons of solid waste each year, including billions of plastic shopping bags. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and occupy landfill space. The government implemented an environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags in 2009 to encourage reuse and reduce plastic bag usage. The scheme charges retailers 50 cents for each plastic bag distributed, which they must record and remit quarterly to the government. It was later expanded in 2011 to include small and medium retailers. The levy scheme successfully created an economic incentive for consumers to switch to reusable bags and reduced plastic bag usage.

1. Hong Kong Baptist University POLS 7050 Master of Public Administration Environmental levy Scheme on plastic shopping bag Chiu To Yang, Edith (10406840) Young Wan, Wendy (10428747)

6. June 06 to Dec 06 Result : 3 major supermarket chains had reported 24 to 29% reductions in plastic-bag usage Number of retailers participating has increased from the initial 6 to 39 May 07 to July 07 2 months public consultation on An Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags Oct 07 3rd of “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign (From once a month to one day of each week)

7. First phase of Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags Jul 09 Registered retailers to charge their customers an environmental levy of 50cents for each PSB Retailers must keep records on 1) No. of plastic shopping bags delivered 2) the amount of levy collected 3) submit returns and payments collected to the EPD on a quarterly basis. 2,600 ↑ qualified Hong Kong retail outlets had registered under the scheme

9. The number of rubbish bags, pre-packaging bags, paper bags, recycled bags and a series of environmental problems arose after the implement of the levy scheme. It is easier for major supermarket or convenience store chains to control their cost as their operations are computerized. But it is difficult for us to comply with the levy incurring requirements without high administrative cost…

10. Low-income groups will be affected by the levy as it would lead to extra spending on rubbish bags . How can government monitor so many retail stores and make sure they all comply with the scheme?