The environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags will be fully implemented on April 1, to cover all retail outlets.
The number of registered retail outlets required to charge their customers 50 cents per plastic bag is expected to increase from the current 3,300 to about 100,000.
Exemptions will be given to plastic bags used for foods which are not contained in airtight packaging; chilled or frozen food; and bags containing drinks or medicine.
Environment Bureau Political Assistant Michelle Au noted that the new law is not a means for the Government to collect more taxes, given that retailers would keep the 50 cent levy, but a way to cut down on the amount of plastic shopping bags that end up in the landfills.
It is hoped that extending the plastic bag levy to all retailers and encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags will foster a habit in people to waste less.
Environmental protection officers will make regular inspections of retail outlets and any shops found handing out free plastic bags will be fined $2,000.
