A proposal for retailers

A proposal for retailers to keep the 50 HK cents levy on plastic bags when the scheme is expanded has attracted mixed reactions.

A Greeners Action survey of 990 people from June 21 to 26 found seven out of 10 people support expanding the plastic bag levy.
But when asked who should keep the levy, 46 percent believe all retailers should do so while 38 percent said it should go to the government's coffers.
When it comes to chain stores only, 83 percent said they should set aside the levy collected for conservation.

The survey comes at a time when the government is holding a public consultation - it ends on August 16 - on the extension of the levy scheme.
It was implemented on July 7, 2009, covering 3,000 stores and supermarkets, adding between HK$5.7 million and HK$6.7 million to the government coffers every quarter.

The expanded scheme will extend to 6,000 stores.
Those in favor of the status quo are concerned that small enterprises will profit from the levy.
"The mainland has reduced the use of plastic bags by two-thirds within three years," Greeners Action senior project officer Kwok Ying-ying said.

"On the other hand, remittance to the government involves high administration costs and workload. Retailers may also try to evade tax."
The group also slammed the government for not informing the public on exemptions, with only 42 percent saying they fully knew plastic bags for fresh produce are exempt.

"Even some retailers misunderstand that plastic bags for wet goods are also counted so they are strongly opposed to this [levy extension]," Kwok said.
The group also took issue at manufacturers' claim that the number of nonwoven bags, which also use plastic, has risen due to the levy.

Greeners Action executive director Angus Ho Hon-wai said shops should not excessively distribute nonwoven bags.