Plastic use control advice unveiled

April 14, 2022

Council for Sustainable Development Chairman Dr Lam Ching-choi:
Overall, the Council for Sustainable Development will give all these 24 recommendations (in the report on the public engagement exercise on control of single-use plastics) to the Government. Of course, we do expect the Government to have a proactive and positive response to our report. But in general, we will leave the execution of those recommendations, if they are accepted, to the Government, to the administration. We do not have a timeline and all this will be determined by the Government. I believe the Government will consult the Legislative Council and will also consult various stakeholders in implementing all these recommendations.

Council for Sustainable Development Strategy Sub-committee Chairman Prof Jonathan Wong:
Talking about the (plastic bag) levy rising from $0.5 to $1 or $2, the price we now ask for is a rise from $0.5 to $1 to $2. Basically, (we got this levy range from) most of  the people (who) participated in our engagement exercise. They agreed to pay this amount. And then we look at our neighbouring city, Macau, which is now using MOP $1 (as a levy). So that means $0.5 is really low, (there is no) incentive for people to reduce the use of plastic bags.

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Council for Sustainable Development, which conducted a public engagement on control of single-use plastics, submitted the report and its recommendations to the Government today. The Government welcomed all the council's recommendations.

The council put forward 24 recommendations in the report on the public engagement exercise on control of single-use plastics to the Government, including banning the sale of disposable plastic tableware at retail outlets and enhancing the plastic bag levy.

At a press conference this afternoon, Council for Sustainable Development Chairman Dr Lam Ching-choi said the council expects the Government to have a proactive and positive response to its report.

“But in general, we will leave the execution of those recommendations, if they are accepted, to the Government, to the administration. We do not have a timeline and all this will be determined by the Government.

“I believe the Government will consult the Legislative Council and will also consult various stakeholders in implementing all these recommendations.”

Council for Sustainable Development Strategy Sub-committee Chairman Prof Jonathan Wong noted that in the council's public engagement, people suggested to raise the levy on plastic shopping bags.

“Talking about the plastic bag levy rising from $0.5 to $1 or $2, the price we now ask for is a rise from $0.5 to $1 to $2. Basically, we got this levy range from most of the people who participated in our engagement exercise. They agreed to pay this amount.

“And then we look at our neighbouring city, Macau, which is now using MOP $1 as a levy. So that means $0.5 is really low, there is no incentive for people to reduce the use of plastic bags.”

Secretary for the Environment KS Wong thanked the council chairman and members for their hard work, saying the Government has been promoting a plastic-free culture and enhancing recycling measures on all fronts.

Mr Wong pointed out that the epidemic in the past two years has changed the lifestyle of the public, including their dining habits which has caused a surge in disposable plastic waste.

He added the Environment Bureau will formulate a work plan to implement the council's recommendations as soon as possible and he will brief the Legislative Council's Panel on Environmental Affairs meeting on April 25.