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Letter to the Editor of SCMP - Response to a letter on plastic garbage bags
I write in response to letter entitled "Decision to give plastic bags wrong" that was published on SCMP on 30 August 2011.
The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags (the Levy Scheme) was implemented in July 2009 as the first mandatory producer responsibility scheme in Hong Kong. It has successfully created a direct economic disincentive that has helped our people build up a Bring Your Own Bag habit. Distribution of PSBs from regulated sources, and hence disposal of such PSBs at landfills, has declined sharply by about 90% since the implementation.
While the Levy Scheme primarily targets at PSBs, it has spread a strong green message across our community leading to an enhanced awareness of "3R" and a growing desire for green living among our people. As far as effective waste management is concerned, we will continue to attach importance to waste reduction under our multi-pronged waste management strategy. Amongst other things there would be enhanced publicity and public education that would reach out to different sectors of our community, including members of the general public and key stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
We would like to thank J. Tse of Sha Tin for his concern on the issue of garbage bags. In general, garbage bags serve a practical need of ensuring environmental hygiene. In some public housing estates, we understand, garbage bags might be provided to tenants on a need basis but even if provided, they are in limited number (up to 25 pieces per month). We welcome views on what more could be done in protecting the environment of Hong Kong. We also strongly believe that with concerted efforts of our community, we are able to manage our broader waste problem (including PSBs, garbage bags and beyond) in an effective and sustainable way thereby making Hong Kong a better and greener place.
Samson Lai
Assistant Director (Waste Management Policy)
Environmental Protection Department
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