Review on Plastic-bag Levy and Review on Plastic-bag Levy and Suggestion on Reduction of Plastic Suggestion on Reduction of Plastic Bag Scheme in Hong KongBag Scheme in Hong Kong

Cheuk Chi Pun, Alex (09409440)Cheuk Chi Pun, Alex (09409440)

Wong Wing Cheung, Mark (09409521)Wong Wing Cheung, Mark (09409521)

Review on Plastic-bag Levy and Review on Plastic-bag Levy and Suggestion on Reduction of Suggestion on Reduction of Plastic Bag Scheme in Hong Plastic Bag Scheme in Hong KongKong

1.1. Environmental concernsEnvironmental concerns

2.2. Economic aspectEconomic aspect

IntroductionIntroduction

After implementation of the levy on Plastic After implementation of the levy on Plastic Shopping BagsShopping Bags

BeforeBefore Reuse ( storgae, transport, or rubblish Reuse ( storgae, transport, or rubblish

bags)bags)

AfterAfter

2. Rubbish bags, pre-packaging bags, paper 2. Rubbish bags, pre-packaging bags, paper bags , recycled bags and a series of envirobags , recycled bags and a series of environmental problems arose from thisnmental problems arose from this scheme.scheme.

International International ExperienceExperience1. 1. TaiwanTaiwan ( introduced “ Restricted Use Policy ( introduced “ Restricted Use Policy

on Plastic Shopping Bags in 2002)on Plastic Shopping Bags in 2002)

22. Scotland. Scotland

a)a)Environmental Levy on Plastic Bags was Environmental Levy on Plastic Bags was introduced introduced in 2005 in 2005

b)London councils dropped the scheme in 2008 b)London councils dropped the scheme in 2008

ProblemsProblems

1.1. Increase plastic waste ( trash bags, Pre-Increase plastic waste ( trash bags, Pre-packing bags)packing bags)

2.2. Paper bagsPaper bags

Problems arose after Problems arose after implementation of the levy implementation of the levy schemescheme

1.1. Increase Plastic Increase Plastic

content wastecontent waste

(Pre-packing bag(Pre-packing bag

, Rubbish bag, Rubbish bag

, Recycled , Recycled

shopping bag )shopping bag )

2. Increase the usage of 2. Increase the usage of paper bagpaper bag

1. Harmful to eu1. Harmful to eutrophication of wtrophication of water bodies, watater bodies, water consumption, er consumption, greenhouse emigreenhouse emissions.ssions.

2. Increase the l2. Increase the landfill pressureandfill pressure

Economic AspectEconomic Aspect

Strike of Financial Tsunami in 2008Strike of Financial Tsunami in 2008 Plastic-bag Levy imposed hurdle to Plastic-bag Levy imposed hurdle to

recovery of economy in HKrecovery of economy in HK

- Decrease of retailers’ income- Decrease of retailers’ income

- Increase financial burden of low-income - Increase financial burden of low-income groupsgroups

Decrease of retailers’ Decrease of retailers’ incomeincome

Hong Kong Retail Management Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) survey:Association (HKRMA) survey:

- Decrease in sales volumeDecrease in sales volume

- About 2 to 3 dollars decreased per About 2 to 3 dollars decreased per transactiontransaction

- Total sales volume dropped 10% when Total sales volume dropped 10% when comparing with last year statistics.comparing with last year statistics.

Increase financial burden Increase financial burden of low-income groupsof low-income groups

In the past, 90% of plastic bags were In the past, 90% of plastic bags were reused as rubbish bagsreused as rubbish bags

Extra spending on rubbish bagsExtra spending on rubbish bags Extra spending on the levyExtra spending on the levy

GHK Consultant ReportGHK Consultant Report

““Assessment of Benefits and Effects of the PlaAssessment of Benefits and Effects of the Plastic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme” (2007)stic Shopping Bag Charging Scheme” (2007)

The report studied on the possible charging scThe report studied on the possible charging schemes for plastic shopping baghemes for plastic shopping bag

The report suggest the government “continue wThe report suggest the government “continue with its voluntary initiative but invest further resoith its voluntary initiative but invest further resources in actively promoting and managing it to iurces in actively promoting and managing it to increase participation and harness the strength ncrease participation and harness the strength of stakeholder goodwill identified during the vieof stakeholder goodwill identified during the viewseeking exercise” wseeking exercise”

Advantages of Voluntary Advantages of Voluntary ApproachApproach

the government involvement and the government involvement and resource would become minimal resource would become minimal

Minimal disruption for consumers, Minimal disruption for consumers, manufacturers and retailers. manufacturers and retailers.

No incentive to switch to alternative bags No incentive to switch to alternative bags means a clear environmental benefit from means a clear environmental benefit from reduced bag use, weight and bulk reduced bag use, weight and bulk

Example of Voluntary Example of Voluntary CampaignsCampaigns

““Every Day No Plastic Bag” Campaign by Every Day No Plastic Bag” Campaign by HKRMA HKRMA

90,000,000 plastic bags were saved in 90,000,000 plastic bags were saved in the first 3 months of the campaignthe first 3 months of the campaign

Conclusion and Conclusion and RecommendationRecommendation

Reduce the usage of plastic bags Reduce the usage of plastic bags through voluntary approachthrough voluntary approach

The government should be patient to the The government should be patient to the final result of voluntary campaigns before final result of voluntary campaigns before jump into conclusionjump into conclusion