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Hong Kong supermarkets dishing out clear plastic bags often with little regard for levy, green group survey finds

South China Morning Post

發布於 2019年10月15日13:10 • Zoe Low zoe.low@scmp.com
  • Greeners Action investigated 20 supermarkets, including chains Wellcome and ParknShop, and found retailers often did not charge 50 HK cents levy
  • Some shoppers were grabbing several of the clear bags at once to take home, group found
Clear plastic bags are in easy reach of consumers in supermarkets, a survey found. Photo: SCMP
Clear plastic bags are in easy reach of consumers in supermarkets, a survey found. Photo: SCMP

A local green group has called on Hong Kong supermarkets to impose stricter controls on consumers' use of clear handleless plastic bags after its survey found at least a third are given to shoppers for free.

Greeners Action investigated 20 supermarkets, including chains Wellcome and ParknShop, in Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Wan Chai, Kowloon Tong, Lam Tin and Yuen Long between July and September and found retailers often did not charge shoppers the mandated 50 HK cents levy for plastic bags.

"Our investigation found 30 per cent of the bags are illegally given out, so supermarkets need to be more proactive in controlling them," said Vicki Wong Pui-chi, the conservation group's senior public affairs officer.

A ParknShop-operated Taste supermarket in Tsuen Wan was among the worst offenders, dishing out 174 out of 444 of bags without charge.

The plastic bag levy was first imposed in 2015. Photo: SCMP
The plastic bag levy was first imposed in 2015. Photo: SCMP

Under the levy, shoppers are charged for plastic bags unless they are used for food hygiene reasons or the packaging of unwrapped fresh produce or frozen or cold items, or provided with services.

However, the regulations do not limit the number of bags which can be used for the exempted purposes. "This is a loophole which allows a shopper to use one bag for one orange if they want to," Wong said.

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Greeners Action also said government inspections had decreased since the plastic bag levy was first imposed in 2015. Between April and December 2015, the Environmental Protection Department carried out 43,163 inspections, but by 2018 the number had halved to 21,480.

In the 20 supermarkets visited by the green group, rolls of the clear bags were left around the produce section for customers to grab, and Wong said some shoppers were pulling several bags at once and taking some home. Employees did not stop such behaviour even if it occurred in front of them.

Cashiers also did not ask if shoppers wanted the bag, voluntarily bagging pre-wrapped produce and cold products. Rolls of plastic bags were also left at self-service checkouts, while some employees carried them to hand out.

Wong said the group would follow up with the supermarkets and demand they keep closer tabs on the bags. "In the beginning they trained employees and they would always ask if bags were needed. So it is the frontline workers who need to be proactive in preventing this problem."

ParknShop said it had reminded staff again to follow company guidelines on plastic bags in daily operations and had provided training on levy regulations. The company said it provided the handleless bags for frozen or chilled foodstuffs for hygiene purposes. Additionally, it displayed posters in store to remind customers to bring their own bags and that those who bought non-exempt goods were charged 50 cents.

The Post has contacted the Environmental Protection Department for comment.

Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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