PLASTIC BAG LEVY SCHEMEThe review of policy framework on Municipal Solid Waste  

DSS20002  Social Policy and Administration

Group membersCheung Wing Kiu     5222 1445Lam Hiu Hei Jimmy  5221 8035Lam Tsz Chun          5221 8385Lee Wai Yin              5221 8545

BACKGROUND OF THE CONTENDING ISSUE - LANDFILLSGovernment Acts - 3 statistical targets for Hong Kong

• Reduction of the amount of Municipal Solid Waste(MSW) by 1% per annum generated in Hong Kong

• Overall recovery rate of MSW - to be increased to 45% by 2009, and expect the percentage to rise up to 50% by 2014

• MSW disposal to be reduced by 25% in 2014 

Adopted from: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/pdf_e/executive.pdf

INTRODUCTION OF "POLLUTER-PAYS" PRINCIPLE

• A Product Eco-Responsibility Bill introduced to LegCo in 2006

• The legal framework aims to hold manufacturers, retailers, consumers and importers responsible to what  they produced and consumed

• The introduced principle brought an amelioration for our landfills; reduces the burden of rapid saturation of landfills in near future

• To tackle the culprit - source of avoidance

Adopted from: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/pdf_e/executive.pdf

THE PRODUCT ECO-RESPONSIBILITY ORDINANCE• Enacted by the Legislative Council in 2008

• Provided a legal basis for implementing Producer Responsibility Scheme based on "Polluter-pays" principle

• To minimize the environmental impact of various types of products

• The first levy scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags

o Reduce the indiscriminate use of PSB 

Adopted from: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/msw/htm_en/pdf_e/executive.pdf

THE ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF PLASTIC BAG LEVY SCHEME

July 2010

"Since the implementation of the levy scheme on July 7 last year, the number of plastic shopping bags distributed by registered retailers has reduced by 90% in comparison with the situation before the scheme was in force.” – The Secretary for the Environment, Edward Yau

General public and retailers aware of the environmental issue and thus willing to collaborate and support the levy scheme overall

The next phase of this scheme for the government is to present different options for in-depth discussion by the public

Drawing up details for a feasible proposal

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS-

ENVIRONMENTAL LEVY ON PSB

Adopted from: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/files/Consultation_Report_Levy_Eng.pdf

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL • The majority of political parties, as well as the deputations,

spoke in support of the environmental levy

The Advisory Council on the Environment • Supported the Administration's proposal and considered

that it should be implemented A.S.A.P

(June 2007)

(May , July 2007)

DISTRICT COUNCIL • Most of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen spoke in

support of the environmental levy

• 500 Public Affairs Forum members support of the proposal under the Home Affairs Bureau

(June , July 2007)

PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY(CHINESE UNIVERSITY) JUNE, 2007

• 1,102 telephone interviews successfully conducted

• 84% supported the “polluter-pays” principle

• 66% supported the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags respectively.

GREEN GROUPS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS • Supported the proposed environmental levy

• Slightly different views on the details of the proposal, especially on the use of the levy.  

(June, 2007)

PLASTIC BAG MANUFACTURERS • Opposed the proposed environmental levy on plastic

shopping bags.o plastic shopping bags were more environmentally friendly

than paper bags

Retailers  • Opposed the proposed environmental levy.

o being unfairly targeted under the proposalo only contributed to a small part of the problem

(June, 2007)

(June-July, 2007)

Opposed

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS-

ENVIRONMENTAL LEVY ON PSB

Adopted from: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/files/Consultation_Report_Levy_Eng.pdf

“ASSESSMENT OF THE BENEFITS AND EFFECTS OF THE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG CHARGING SCHEME”

Reduction Of

PSB

“switching” to

alternative bags

More waste to our

landfill

(1)voluntary approach -(2) combination of supplier levy and consumer charge

(3) consumer charge at all retail outlets

(4) consumer charge at selected retail outlets / /

REINFORCEMENT THEORY ON PLASTIC BAG LEVY SCHEMEBackground of the theory • Reinforcement Theory explains the process of shaping

behaviour

• Focus on the response of various stimuli that trigger different behavioral responses in an almost automatic fashion

• Reinforcement - a reinforcer that strengthens a desired behaviour

• Punishment - an action that extinguish or decrease the probability of an undesired behaviour 

REINFORCEMENT THEORY - BEHAVIORAL CHANGE ON THE USAGE OF PLASTIC BAGS

THEORIES / MODELSFive elements of Policy Design

STAGES MODEL OF POLICY PROCESSIssue emergence:

Increased solid waste loads put

pressure on landfills , Overuse of

plastic bags

Agenda Setting:Compulsory like levying on PSB, Voluntary like

voluntary reduction campaign

Alternative selection:

consumer charge at selected retail

outlets

Enactment:The Product Eco-

responsibility draft,took effect in 2009

Implementation: Environmental

Protection Department.

Retailer should register

Evaluation: Effective to reduce 90% of

PSB

REFERENCE • Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2011

from Environmentatl Protection Department. Web site:     http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/eindex.html• Green Working Force(n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2011 from The Conservancy

Associtation. Web sitehttp://www.conservancy.org.hk/past/mainC.htm

• IES Award(n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2011 from Introduction. Web site: •  http://edblog.hkedcity.net/wp-content/blogs/1699/uploads/plastic_bag.pdf