New $1 Plastic Bag Levy Scheme Gets Mixed Reactions

Consumers have mixed feelings about whether the increased plastic bag levy that took effect on Saturday would change people's shopping habits.

People will now be charged HK$1 for every plastic bag they use when they go shopping, instead of HK$0.5.

Several exemptions to the levy have also been scrapped, meaning customers are no longer given free bags for frozen or chilled food items, as well as products wrapped entirely in non-airtight packaging.

While the levy does not apply to takeaway items or unpackaged food, each purchase or order is limited to one free plastic bag.

Rohan, a shopper, welcomed the new levy scheme: "We should use less plastic. Or maybe they can give us some paper bags or cotton bags, that will be better. I'd be happy to pay for that."

Another customer surnamed Wong said she believed the new charge could encourage people to bring their own bags.

"I think people will think it is not worth paying HK$1 for a plastic bag, and hopefully remember to bring reusable bags," she said.

As for a woman surnamed Chiang, she said people who are not used to bringing their own bags would not mind paying for plastic bags.

Offenders will be slapped with a HK$2,000 fine, and the penalty for repeated violations could go up to HK$200,000.

But the Environmental Protection Department earlier said shoppers and retailers will be allowed a one-month grace period over the new plastic bag levy scheme, where officials will give verbal warnings to anyone flouting the rules.

Authorities will beef up inspection in the first three months as well, such as sending "mystery shoppers" to self-checkout counters.