The government plans to implement the glass bottle levy as soon as the first quarter of next year, charging beverage suppliers about $1 per liter of glass bottles. Suppliers must register with the Environmental Protection Department in advance before distributing glass bottle beverages, and can submit a container reduction plan to the department. If the waste reduction rate is over 80%, you can apply for levy exemption.
Some environmental groups have criticized the government's slow promotion of charging glass bottles. It took ten years from the proposal to the implementation. They also pointed out that the practice of standardizing all beverage glass bottles to charge one yuan per liter may not be an incentive for suppliers to increase recycling efforts, and it has not been possible. It advocates the citizens to take the initiative to return the auspicious bottles, and proposes to use the "deposit recovery" method to attract citizens to return the bottles.
Some wine business associations have also criticized the government's request to submit the plan, which involves auditing, which will significantly increase administrative costs, or make suppliers prefer to pay taxes instead of helping to promote recycling.
It is too slow to take ten years to promote the plan
"Green Earth" Director General Liu Zhifeng stated in the radio brief "Millennium" this morning (20th) that the government conducted the first public consultation on the glass bottle levy in 2013, and has only disclosed the legal requirements to the Legislative Council now. It will take ten years to fully implement in the first quarter of next year. "Time is used very patiently, and it is really slow." He hopes that the authorities can speed up the pace in all aspects, and emphasizes that glass bottles are more polluting than plastic bottles, but still It is a resource that can be 100% recycled and remade into glass bottles or building materials.
He also believes that a flat levy of 1 yuan is not enough. For example, some red wine and white wine are worth at least 100 yuan, and it is easier to pass the levy on to consumers. On the contrary, some beverages may only be sold for 10 yuan, which is more difficult to collect Levy transfer.
He believes that for expensive beverages, the levy of one yuan is too small, and the corresponding levy must be determined according to the value of the beverage, so as to have a strong incentive for suppliers to increase their efforts to promote recycling.
Advocate deposit recovery
Liu also suggested that the government should refer to successful foreign examples and introduce a "deposit recycling" system, that is, for example, citizens need to pay a deposit of 1 yuan each time they buy a bottle of glass beverage, which can be recycled at designated places after drinking. If you get back one dollar, I believe the recycling rate can be greatly improved. "The citizens will not just grab a mosquito and throw it away."
The EPA stated in the early years that if beverage suppliers choose to recycle and reuse glass containers with a waste reduction rate of 80% or more, that is, each glass container can be reused five or more times, the levy can be waived.
(File photo / Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Liquor Chamber of Commerce: Policy Increases Administrative Costs
Lu Yaowen, executive director of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Liquor Industry, said he was disappointed with the policy proposed by the government this time. He said that the authorities had discussed with the industry in 2013, but the new policy was not much different from that year, and even added a lot of obstacles.
The government mentioned that if suppliers want to be exempted from fees, they need to submit applications and audit reports, and keep records for five years. Suppliers need to hire an accountant, which will greatly increase the administrative pressure on suppliers and make peace. "It is better to pay fees than to do extras."
Lu also pointed out that the relevant practice not only affects the restaurant and wine industry, but also the catering industry and the exhibition industry. Because the Environment Department document does not clearly define "suppliers", some liquor-licensed restaurants may find it troublesome not to serve alcoholic beverages. Suppliers engaged in exhibitions in Hong Kong may also be deterred by troubles, which ultimately will not help improve the recycling rate.
The glass bottle levy is planned to be implemented in the first quarter of next year, charging 1 yuan per liter container to beverage vendors. Reuse can exempt "degradable" plastics from degrading products with hidden conditions. There is no uniform standard. Vegetable box recyclers degrade on the spot, but cannot fully digest the green storage in districts. Sub-operators have halved their recycling volume. They worry about being deducted from the money. data
