The Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags is forecast to generate $27 million in revenue when its first year of operation ends in July.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau told legislators today the figure has been estimated from the quarterly returns registered retailers submitted to the Government.

He reiterated the scheme's objective was to reduce the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags through a direct economic disincentive, not to raise revenue.

Meanwhile, he said the Government is conducting a public consultation on a producer responsibility scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment until April 30.

"We have been promoting recycling for other products on a voluntary basis and will consider the need for mandatory schemes at the next step," he said.

According to the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance, apart from an environmental levy, a producer-responsibility scheme can also include a product take-back programme, a deposit-refund scheme, a recycling fee and restricting the disposal of certain products at designated waste disposal facilities.