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Press Release
Voluntary agreement on plastic bag reduction signed
The Environmental Protection Department welcomes measures taken by supermarket chains in reducing the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags in Hong Kong through close collaboration with the Government.
The Permanent Secretary of the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment), Mr K K Kwok made the remark today (March 30) after signing a voluntary agreement on plastic bag reduction with the China Resources Vanguard (Hong Kong) Co Ltd.
This was the third voluntary agreement signed after Wellcome and PARKnSHOP entered into similar agreements in February and March respectively.
Through the implementation of this voluntary agreement, China Resources Vanguard has pledged to reduce the distribution of plastic shopping bags at its retail outlets by no less than 15 per cent in one year.
"We are pleased to see that the three major supermarket chains are committed to reducing plastic shopping bags by about 90 million in total in a year. We are also encouraging other supermarkets and major retail chains to join the voluntary scheme," Mr. Kwok said.
"The signing of the voluntary agreements indicates the determination of the supermarket chains to reduce the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags in Hong Kong through close collaboration with the Government. The active involvement of supermarket chains will help change consumers' behaviour over time," Mr Kwok said.
"A large number of plastic shopping bags are disposed of at our landfills each day. The implementation of voluntary agreements will reduce this kind of waste at source," he said.
In the longer term, the Government plans to prohibit free distribution of plastic shopping bags and impose a levy to deter their use through legislation. It will consult the trade and the public before taking it forward.
"However, the success of our plastic bag reduction effort would very much hinge on the full support and participation by the retail sector and the general public," he added.
Ends/Thursday, March 30, 2006
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