Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau has called for companies to maintain their environmental initiatives, saying it is unfortunate PARKnSHOP has scrapped its no plastic bag policy.

Speaking after today's Legislative Council Environmental Affairs Panel meeting, Mr Yau urged companies not to be disillusioned by the supermarket chain's decision, saying it shows environmental measures take time.

He endorsed the chain's initiative of stopping issuing plastic shopping bags. "But obviously, all environmental measures take time and effort to rally public support. It also reminds the Government that we should be making full preparation when we introduce the Eco-responsibility Bill which will address the problem of the abuse of plastic shopping bags."

The issue will not affect the Government's upcoming plastic bag levy because it has consulted the public and conducted a survey.

"There has been quite strong support behind the shopping bag levy as a means to reduce the abuse of plastic shopping bags in Hong Kong. So we will continue to refine our scheme and when we roll out the programme, we hope to secure good support."