The Environmental Protection Department today reminded all retail outlets that officers will no longer give prior verbal warnings on the legal requirements of plastic shopping bag charging starting from May 1.
Immediate enforcement action will be taken against retailers who contravene the requirements and they will be liable to a fixed penalty of $2,000 or prosecution.
The department said that full implementation of the charging scheme has been smooth since its launch on April 1.
Most retail outlets observe the legal requirements and charge at least 50 cents for each plastic bag provided to customers, unless such use is exempted.
From April 1 to 25, about 7,000 retail outlets were inspected, with 62 verbal warnings given to non-complying stores.
The contraventions included providing free plastic bags for non-foodstuff or airtight food, or providing non-woven bags without charging customers, as well as offering rebates to customers to offset the charge.
