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HONG KONG : A HK$0.50 (US$0.07) plastic bag levy comes into effect on Tuesday at all major retailers in the territory.
The levy is a green tax that is part of government efforts to reduce waste. An average Hongkonger, where convenience comes first, uses three bags a day.
But on the first day of a plastic bag levy in force, it seems that many have heeded the months of campaigning to bring their own bag. Some are long-time coverts.
"I've been using them for many years. I don't think it's inconvenient. For my child's sake, it's necessary to support the environment," said one Hongkonger.
"Collecting 50 cents is reasonable, the shop also needs to cover the cost of the bag," commented another.
But some are less supportive.
"I definitely won't pay, it's expensive. It's daylight robbery," said a Hongkong shopper.
The HK$0.50 levy aims to reduce plastic bag usage by 50 per cent. Currently, the levy applies to about 2,000 major supermarkets and chain stores. If successful, after a year, the levy may be extended to all retail outlets in Hong Kong.
It is estimated that Hongkongers throw away more than eight billion shopping bags into Hong Kong's landfills every year.
At a charity store in Hong Kong, hand-made cloth bags from discarded cloth get a new lease of life. Demand has risen since the impending plastic bag levy, and so is green awareness.
"You can say they're more aware. This (charity) shop has been around 2 to 3 years. We've seen more people coming in for second-hand goods, different classes of people," said Joan Sou, a project coordinator at St James' Settlement.
Green groups are also calling on the government to act on more recycling programmes to tackle different types of waste like electronic components, rubber and other plastics. - CNA /ls
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