What is the objective of the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags (the Levy Scheme)?
A.1
The objective of the Levy Scheme is to provide a direct economic incentive to discourage the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags. The public are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags to avoid the levy.
Q.2
What is the amount of the environmental levy?
A.2
Registered retailers must charge at least 50 cents for each plastic shopping bag provided to their customers from their registered retail outlets.
Q.3
Can a registered retailer pay the environmental levy for his customer?
A.3
No. A registered retailer shall charge at least 50 cents for each plastic shopping bag provided to the customer from his registered retail outlet. Otherwise, the registered retailer commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on the first occasion and a maximum fine of $200,000 on each subsequent occasion.
Q.4
What would happen if a customer refuses to pay the environmental levy?
A.4
A registered retailer shall not provide plastic shopping bags to a customer if the customer refuses to pay the environmental levy.
Q.5
Can a registered retailer provide a rebate or discount to a customer with the effect of directly offsetting the environmental levy?
A.5
A registered retailer shall not provide a rebate or discount to a customer with the effect of directly offsetting the environmental levy. Otherwise, the registered retailer commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 on the first occasion and a maximum fine of $200,000 on each subsequent occasion.
Q.6
How does a customer know which retail outlets are covered by the Levy Scheme?
A.6
For retail outlets registered under the Levy Scheme, they will:
have a certificate of registration displayed at the outlet;
have their names and addresses maintained in EPD's website;
display tent cards and stickers bearing the Levy Scheme's logo (appended below).
Image of Tent Card with Scheme Logo
Image of Sticker with Scheme Logo
All tent cards and stickers are restricted for use by registered retailers in their outlets registered under the Levy Scheme.
