Registration of prescribed retailers under the environmental levy scheme begins today

Press Release

Registration of prescribed retailers under the environmental levy scheme begins today

The initial registration of prescribed retailers under the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags starts today (April 30) in preparation for the launch of the scheme on July 7.

A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said prescribed retailers who would like to continue to provide plastic shopping bags to customers from July 7 onwards should register with the department in accordance with the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance and the Product Eco-responsibility (Plastic Shopping Bags) Regulation.

“Under the scheme, registered retailers are required to charge customers a 50 cent environmental levy for each plastic shopping bag provided, for which they have to keep records and submit returns and payments to the EPD on a quarterly basis,” he added.

"The scheme provides a direct economic incentive to discourage the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags. The public are encouraged to bring their own bags at all times so as to avoid the levy," he said.

Starting from today, the EPD will process registration of prescribed retailers under the scheme. Application forms and Guides to Application can be obtained from the EPD's headquarters, regional offices, as well as the EPD's website. Prescribed retailers are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.

An enquiry hotline (tel: 2838 3111) is also available to address any questions prescribed retailers may have about the scheme.


End/ Thursday, 30 April 2009