Woven-bag concerns rejected

January 11, 2012

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau has refuted concern about the dumping of non-woven bags, made of plastic materials, in landfills.
 
Responding to legislators' questions today, Mr Yau said the bags are covered in the current Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags and will remain so when the scheme's coverage extends.
 
Noting the number of plastic shopping bags distributed by retailers has dropped by nearly 90% since the implementation of the levy scheme, he said some groups have expressed concern the drastic increase in the use of non-woven bags might lead to wastage.
 
However, he said a landfill survey conducted in mid-2010 found the disposal of non-woven bags is equivalent to only 0.4% of the overall plastic shopping bags disposed, adding the situation is not worrying.
 
The Environmental Protection Department has issued guidelines on reducing the distribution of non-woven bags and urged other departments to consider the distribution of non-woven bags and other reusable shopping bags at their events only when there are practical needs.
 
The Home Affairs Department will provide District Councils with the guidelines on non-woven bags for their reference.