No more stalling on Plastic Bag Levy

Feb 19, 2009--There are views that the Plastic Bag Levy should be put off due to the financial tsunami, but four environmental groups (The Conservancy Association, Greeners Action, Green Power and Friends of the Earth) stand against the views firmly, and presented a joint statement to the environmental affairs spokesmen from four political parties right before the Subcommittee on Product Eco-responsibility (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulation held its first meeting on the Regulation. The spokesmen and representatives from environmental groups also hit the “plastic bag man” with slippers as an analogy of Chinese “Villain Hitting”, wishing the villains—plastic bag polluters—that stall the reform of Hong Kong’s environment can be expelled. The green groups call all political parties for catching the moment to put forward the social responsibility on the environment and make the first stage of Plastic Bag Levy scheme implemented by July 1, 2009 as scheduled

1)      Protect the environment regardless of the economic situation

We believe environmental protection is the responsibility of a civil society. No matter in good economy or not, the protection work is a mission that the government and every citizen must take. Before us is the time to promote BYOB. That saves plastic bag costs for consumers and enterprises, which is an obvious win-win situation.

2)      Plastic Bag Levy burdens no one

The objective of the Plastic Bag Levy scheme is to minimise people’s usage in plastic bags through financial incentives. Therefore, once people bring their own bags when they shop, the Levy is no financial burden for them.

3)      Plastic bag reduction means lowered costs

Although the Levy would cause a rise in administration cost for the retail industry, one billion of plastic bags, i.e. of $150 million of the production cost, can be saved according to government’s anticipation. By having the plastic bag cost saved and a goodwill image built, the Levy is a win-win policy.

4)      Product Eco-responsibility can’t be delayed again

The Plastic Bag Levy is the first policy of the entire Product Eco-responsibility System. However, the scheme was put off from 2007 to mid 2009. This encumbered the responsibility regulations on other products, and caused landfill bans and charges fall behind schedule totally. We are worried that Waste Reduction Policy will be stalled further, finally sacrificing more money and environmental capital to solve the local waste problem.

As a matter of fact, the Levy scheme was being discussed as early as 2005. Consensus has already reached on the principles and directions by all sectors of the community. We wish members can keep the promises and strive to create a green Hong Kong for our people.

Co-signed by

The Conservancy Association, Greeners Action, Green Power and Friends of the Earth