Glass Bottle Levy To Take Effect On Monday

Glass bottle suppliers will have to pay a recycling levy and register with the government before distributing their products, officials announced on Sunday.

The producer-pay scheme, which will take effect from Monday, is aimed at encouraging bottle suppliers to do more to recycle their containers.

Under the scheme, suppliers will have to pay a HK$0.98 levy for every one-litre bottle they distribute in the city, and register with the Environmental Protection Department before distributing them in Hong Kong.

In a statement, the department said registered suppliers will also have to submit returns and annual audit reports, and keep records relating to the returns.

It said 900 suppliers have applied for the scheme as of late April, and two have been granted levy exemptions because they have arranged their own collection and treatment of waste glass beverage containers.

"The Environmental Protection Department will launch a new round of promotional activities to remind and facilitate the trade to submit returns in a timely manner and pay the container recycling levies per their obligations," the statement said.

"The department will also conduct investigations through different channels and take enforcement actions against merchants who are suspected of non-compliance."