Reducing Plastic Bag Usage In Hong Kong Environmental Sciences Essay

Reducing Plastic Bag practice In Hong Kong surroundingsal Sciences EssayThe Hong Kong brass and the environmental Protection section (EPD) have launched an environmental charge of formative shop clasps in July 2009 which aims to load indiscriminate mapping of bendable bags. After maven- grade of writ of execution, it is conducted that express mail sh atomic number 18 is achieved. Our brass instrument understands the awareness of the indiscriminate ingestion of credit card bags which burdens the landfills and raises the in sight environmental job in Hong Kong. In this paper, we are writing to suggest both proposed policies in damage of extension of the bill plan (1) extend the scale of the bill to each retail bulge outlets and (2) embrace all types of charge card bags into charge. all told of these aim to cut back the use of credit card bags more effectively in Hong Kong. Furthermore, we will discuss the effectiveness and concerns of the proposed policie s with related references and successful cases from other countries e.g. Ireland, which has already introduced its pliable bag bill in 2002. Lastly, the paper ends with a passport on broadening the scene of the bill fundamental law by same measures.In 7th July 2009, the Hong Kong judicature and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) introduced the Environmental levy on ductile obtain bags (the organization) in order to flinch indiscriminate use of ductile bags and arouse consumers awareness on the overt environmental problem in Hong Kong. The government proposed the evasion with a levy of 50 cents for a waxy shopping bag in a variety of retail outlets.After one-year of implementation, the government conducted that per-capita disposal watch of plastic shopping bags is over 1.8 per person in 2009 which is lowered than the look-alike conducted in 2005. The accomplishment is appreciated. (EPD, 2009)After a head start of one-year of implementation, it is potentia l for the scheme to be extended with a broader scope callable to its in broad outcomes and the presence of loopholes. Therefore, we are writing to suggest two proposed policies in terms of extension of the levy scheme which aims to reduce the use of plastic bags in a more effective way.Background information3.1 relation to the ProblemThe indiscriminate use of plastic bags is a major visible environmental problem in Hong Kong. From the Landfill Survey(2005) which is conducted by EPD, it is estimated that more than 23 gazillion of plastic bags are disposed in the landfill every day. In 2009, EPD took into reputation to this problem with the introduction of Environmental levy on plastic shopping bags.Nevertheless, according to the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA)(2009), it is estimated that the scheme achieved a limited ploughshare with only 6% decrement of plastic bag function after one-year of implementation. The estimation reflects that long-term implementation and extension of the scheme is needed to deal with the problem part the benefit of the extended scheme would probably go directly to environmental protection.3.3 Our organizations interest with abide by to the problemOur environmental organization understands the rising awareness of the indiscriminate use of plastic bags which lead to major visible environmental problem. Our objectives are tackling environmental issues and toil research for further advice to government indemnity in terms of environment protection. The survey conducted by GHK indicated that it takes 20 to 1000 years to decompose the plastic bags in the present landfills. In addition, the usage of plastic bags is change magnitude simultaneously. (GHK Hong Kong Ltd, 2007)With respect to the limited contributions achieved from the breathing scheme, we have drawn up two indemnity choices for the extension of the existing scheme which aim reduce the use of plastic bags and encourage consumers to change their exp ression towards sustainable utilisation.Policy optionsCurrent insurance policy and situationThere are only a total of 41 prescribed retailers registered under the levy scheme and about 3000 qualified retail outlets are subject to the current scheme. They are including supermarkets, convenience stores, and personal wellness and beauty stores. The number of registered retailers shows that the scope of the levy scheme is limited while 96% of retail outlets are still not subject to the scheme. In addition, it is conducted that 3 million of levy is collected in the first lenify after implementation of the plastic bag levy. However, a clear marriage proposal is usually absent to tell how the revenue raised from the scheme is spent. consort to EPD (May 2007), the definition of plastic shopping bags under the levy is that bags that are do wholly or predominantly of plastic with carrying handles, holes or strings. It turns out with the increasing use of alternative bags or wrapped packa ges, e.g. laminated plastic bags, non-woven bags and fruit bags. For example, supermarket gyves were circumventing the levy and many retail outlets are starting to sell prepackaged outputs.Proposed policies Broaden the scope of the levy scheme(1) evanesce the scale of the levy to all retail outlets(2)Embrace all types of plastic bags into chargePolicy option (1) suck out the scale of the levy to all retail outlets4.2.1a) ImplementationThe current policy apparently shows that the scope of the implement scheme is limited to achieve a more comprehensive goal. With respect to the limitation, the levy scheme should be implement extensively in all kind of retail outlets in Hong Kong. The be 96% of retail outlets, including small-scale, individual neighborhood retail stores and local unshakable markets should be all covered in terms of the extension of the levy scheme.4.2.1b) Effects and advantagesThe extension of the implement scale of retail outlets would further reduce indiscri minate use of plastic bags and arouse peoples attention to serious environmental problem. Ireland is a successful case among all countries implementations while all kinds of retail outlets are subject to the levy which a 15 Euro cent tax income is paid for a plastic shopping bag. Nevertheless, Ireland achieved a dramatic reduction 94% of plastic bag usage is reduced with the effect of the levy scheme. (Frank, Simon Susana, 2007)4.2.1c) Concerns and disadvantagesUnder the extension of implementation, we concern that some small retailers could not impart a computerized or new cashier system to handle the levy (most of the retailers in wet markets). Therefore, it is difficult for them to collect cash manually to begin with submitting the levy to EPD. Apart from that, oppositions from different sectors would be raised, especially for those retailers which plastic bags are inevitable used. For example, butchers in Ireland strongly opposed to the levy because of its hygiene reason. ( Frank, Simon Susana, 2007) Therefore, the government should determine whether the exemption is needed for several kinds of retailers with corresponding measures.Policy option (2) Embrace all types of plastic bags into charge4.2.2a) ImplementationWe suggested that all types of plastic bags should be embraced into charge. It means that all kinds of bags which are made of wholly or predominantly of plastic, including laminated plastic bags, non-woven bags and fruit bags are all imposed to the scheme even they contain carrying handles, holes or strings. In addition, the levy collected is suggested to go directly to an environmental fund for the expenditure of environmental disposal projects and educational purposes.4.2.2b) Effects and advantagesThe scheme fills in the loopholes of the existing policy in terms of the revised definition of plastic bags. All kinds of plastic bags, including wrapped, packing product bags and fruit bags are all applied to the scheme. In Ireland, all kinds of plastic bags are embraced into charge with 15 Euro cents. It achieved with a dramatic reduction (94%) of plastic bag usage. From the successful case of Ireland, we anticipate that the embracement of all kinds of plastic bags into the scheme would effectively reduce the use of plastic bags by consumers and make a link between price value and good environmental way among the public. In addition, the levy which goes directly to an environmental fund avoids absence of account how the revenue is spent by the General Revenue and gives support to environmental disposal projects. For example, the revenues from the scheme in Ireland are ring fenced in an Environmental Fund which is controlled by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for disposal cost and capitals of environmental program promotion. (Frank, Simon Susana, 2007)4.2.2c) Concerns and disadvantagesWe concern that there would be a rise of alternative use of paper shopping bags under the implementati on of the proposed policy. As all kinds of plastic bags are subject to the levy, paper bag is the shifting target for both retailers and consumers. We are worrying that a genius paper bag produces 2.7 times as much solid unwarranted as the equivalent plastic bag. (GHK Hong Kong Ltd, 2007)According to the Hong Kong Plastic Bags Manufacturers Association executive vice chairman Ricky Wong Wai-ki, the materials and energy used for producing nonwoven recycled shopping bags is more environmental-unfriendly. (GHK Hong Kong Ltd, 2007) Therefore, the government is responsible for further action on tackling the problem of alternative use of paper bags.RecommendationIndiscriminate use of plastic bag is one of the major visible environmental problems in Hong Kong. The introduction of the Environmental levy on plastic shopping bags is necessary to tackle this problem. However, the limited contribution achieved from the scheme urged for a proper modification and more effective extension.Our or ganization suggests to extending the scale of the levy scheme to all retail outlets while 96% of them are still not subject to the scheme. Therefore, the enlarged scale of the levy would be an effective way to further reduce indiscriminate use of plastic bags and arouse peoples attention to serious environmental problem.The feasibility of the proposed policy is high in long terms with comprehensive planning and plastered corresponding measures (for example promotions, educational activities and distribution of fabric reusable shopping bags) supported by the government. We are anticipating to accomplishing a good environmental behavior developed among the public with this strong publicity campaign.Implementation(s)Study and learn from immaterial successful cases of implementing plastic bag levy (e.g. Ireland)Conduct a comprehensive review with evaluation after 1-year implementation of the levy scheme chew the fat public, retailers and industries opinions on the extension of the lev y schemeBroaden the scope of the levy scheme in terms of scale of scheme and the types of plastic bags a) Extend the scale of the levy to all retail outletsb) Embrace all types of plastic bags into chargeOrganize educational talks to all primary and alternative schools to promote the reduction of indiscriminate use of plastic bagsGiving out fabric reusable shopping bags to students and less privileged families every year in order to encourage consumers to change their behavior towards sustainable consumptionReinforce the existing environmental campaign with sufficient promotion involve your own bag (BYOB)ConclusionDue to limited contributions achieved in the existing environmental levy on plastic shopping bags, an extension of the levy scheme is necessary to achieve a more comprehensive goal. Our organization suggests two policy options, including the extension of the scale to all retail outlets and embraces all kinds of plastic bags into charge. From the successful case learnt from Ireland, we ensure that the implementations of these similar policies are effective. Therefore, it is necessary for the Hong Kong government to extend the levy scheme in terms of scope in order to achieve a sustainable consumption of plastic bags.