Getting a plastic bag for your store purchases? You might want to think twice as the Environment Bureau is proposing raising the plastic bag levy in Hong Kong from the current 50 cents to $1.
According to a document submitted to the Legislative Council, the bureau plans to table the relevant bill to the council as early as the second quarter of this year.
Authorities estimate that the number of plastic bags disposed in 2015 – the year the levy was introduced to all retailers in Hong Kong – was reduced by 25 percent.
“However, a rebound in [the plastic bag] disposal rate was observed in the following years, which calls for an enhancement of the [scheme] in order to maintain its effectiveness,” the document noted.
The bureau also recommended lifting an exemption on frozen and chilled food, but keeping the one on food takeaways with non-airtight packaging.
Customers getting takeaways, however, will be limited to one plastic bag for each order.
US$1=HK$7.80
