Post on 14-May-2015
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