HONG KONG: The familiar plastic shopping bag now comes with a price tag but people have been ready for the change and generally support the initiative to cut the number of plastic bags and reduce their environmental impact.

The Department of the Environment will prosecute shops that breach the ordinance that assesses an environmental levy of HK$0.50 on each plastic bag, said environment secretary Edward Yau.

About 2,970 outlets under 50 registered retailers are affected by the legislation, applying to every plastic bag with a hand hold. The government expected the levy collected during the first few years to be less than HK$200 million a year.

Prescribed retailers include major and chain supermarkets, convenience stores, personal health and beauty stores, and supermarkets inside department stores.

Yau oversaw the implementation of the new rules at two chain stores yesterday. He judged operations smooth and shop assistants well trained to explain the new scheme to customers.

He was informed that seven or eight out of 10 customers brought their own bags. He said he believed that's a sign the public accepts the environmental act.

"This is a good start," Yau told reporters. "But a good start has to be continued. It's essential for consumers to recognize the scheme by supporting environmental protection and preparing their own bags."

The department expected to reduce the use of plastic bags by a billion from the current 1.8 billion. Each Hongkonger uses more than three bags a day.

Many citizens took their own shopping bags to prescribed outlets yesterday.

Ivy Ko, a housewife, put all her purchases from the supermarket into an environment-friendly bag she made herself. She had prepared the bag soon after the announcement the levy was to come into effect. "I don't think the implementation will cause inconvenience," she said.

Marie Sun, a tourist from Guangzhou, supported the levy, saying it would protect the environment.

"The mainland has implemented a similar scheme so tourists will not feel annoyed in Hong Kong," she said.

Some shoppers who didn't bring bags of their own chose to carry their purchases by hand.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) said only 4 percent of 250 customers it observed yesterday asked for plastic bags.

"This reveals that Hongkongers can reduce the use of plastic bags. (We) believe everyone will recognize it is not troublesome to bring a shopping bag with them after some time," the green group said.

FoE also noticed some retailers encourage not using plastic bags by offering discount. For instance, Yu Kee gives 10 percent off for customers who don't get plastic bags.

"Retailers should adopt proactive manner to the levy scheme in order to attract customers," FoE said.

Consumers can still get free plastic bags in wet markets. However, retailers there said they do not benefit from the exemption.

"People will not come to us only to save just 50 cents," said the owner of Yeung Ngan Kee, a grocery store in the street market in Causeway Bay.

She said she has noticed more customers have prepared their own bags recently.

Some retailers were accused of evading their responsibilities by pre-packing their products.

Yau didn't find the situation common, but stressed consumers may be resentful of the tactic.

(HK Edition 07/08/2009 page1)