Green Group Calls For Higher Plastic Bag Levy

A green group on Sunday warned that the government’s proposal to increase the plastic bag levy to HK$1 will not have a big enough deterrent effect.

Greeners Action said it had surveyed 800 residents in June and found that over 75 percent believe people will only start using fewer plastic bags if the levy was at least HK$2 per bag.

Half of the respondents conceded that they wouldn't reduce their plastic bag usage just because of a HK$1 levy.

Angus Ho, the group's Executive Director, said the planned levy increase will not make a big difference.

“The government’s proposal will not [bring] a significant change to people and push them to bring their own bag," he said. "They should increase the levy to an effective price. We propose to have a two-dollar levy for each plastic bag.”

Ho added that supermarkets are also responsible for the plastic waste problem. He said that they seldom charge customers who take plastic bags at self-service counters.

Supermarkets should shoulder part of the responsibility of reducing unnecessary plastic use, he said.

The group also urged the government to study the example of South Africa and consider banning plastic bag usage and production in the long run.