The Environmental Advisory Committee held a meeting today (16th) to discuss the "Optimization of the Charging Scheme for Plastic Shopping Bags" and the "Controlling Disposable Plastics Scheme".
The EPA proposes to double the current fee for 5-milligram plastic bags to $1, and to cancel the current exemption arrangement for frozen or frozen food, as well as food that has been completely wrapped in non-airtight packaging.
Huang Yuanhui, chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee, believes that raising public awareness is far more important than raising prices. "It's not the problem of one mosquito getting into the meat." He also found that it is common for citizens to use "flat bags" in supermarkets, even more so than using plastic shopping bags. Seriously, I hope the new measures can reduce the amount of plastic bags discarded by 20% to 25%. "If you use a flat-top bag, the water droplets will come out of the hole. In fact, it is useless. It is better to use a fresh-keeping bag, put it in the sun, go back and clean it again. ".
He is also concerned about the free distribution of rain cover in shopping malls, and believes that it is necessary to cancel the exemption.
Egg tarts are not exempted from the plastic bag fee
Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Department (Waste Management Policy) Li Keqi said that the current 5 cents levy for plastic bags has been in use for many years, and he believes that there is a need to review it. Macau has raised it to 1 yuan in the early years, "5 cents is not the same as the same day." Regarding the request for a free plastic bag when restricting transactions, she pointed out that some products have their own contents, such as blue plums and eggs, which already have boxes, but if the egg tart only has a paper holder, it will be exempted.
The department will adopt a formula that will be formulated first and then reviewed.
Huang Yuanhui, chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee, pointed out that at present, the public will bring their own shopping bags to buy food, but "flat-top bags" containing frozen products are used more frequently.
(Photo by Kong Fanxu)
Huang Yuanhui: Levy must be leak-tight
Huang Yuanhui, chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee, believes that reducing plastic bags should start from education rather than price increases. "One mosquito will not enter the meat? Two mosquitoes will not enter the meat? If a family buys 3 lunch boxes, they can carry 3 plastic bags, but If a bag can hold it in the sun, please use a plastic bag.”
Huang Yuanhui also emphasized, "The levy is not about being leak-tight. The fee is a bit painful. Instead, it is public education. Environmental protection is everyone's responsibility. Even if there is no exception, you can regulate yourself."
According to figures from the Environmental Protection Department, about 4 billion plastic bags are currently discarded in Hong Kong every year. Many members questioned that the figure did not fall but rose after the plastic bag levy. instead of 5 cents every 10 years.
Lu Jiajian, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department (Waste Reduction and Special Duties), agreed that the use of plastic bags should be reduced through public education. , this is the price." He reiterated that the department has always formulated KPIs, but the amount of plastic bags disposed of under the epidemic is unexpected, and will be reviewed again.
Lu Jiajian also mentioned that he understands that people will sweat when buying chilled food, but he thinks it is a shopping habit and should bring their own shopping bags to carry them. Emphasize that this is the packaging responsibility of the manufacturer and hope that the public will understand.
In addition, Fong Jianhua, Assistant Director (Waste Reduction and Recycling) of the Environmental Protection Department, said that in recent years, the amount of disposable tableware has been on the rise. In 2020, 226 metric tons of plastic tableware were discarded, an increase of 30% over 2019.
Huang Yuanhui advocates that the rain cover must pay the plastic bag tax
Huang Yuanhui met with the media after the meeting. He pointed out that if there is no obvious effect after the increase of fees, the government will not rule out increasing the price, but reiterated that the public should be educated to have environmental protection awareness in the long run.
He pointed out that at present, the public will bring their own shopping bags to buy food, but "flat-top bags" for frozen products are used more. If you wear a flat-top bag, the water droplets will come out, which is actually useless. It is better to use a fresh-keeping bag, put it in the sun, and then return it to wash.” He also paid attention to the free distribution of rain cover in shopping malls, and thought it was necessary to cancel the exemption.
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