F. D. B. W. A. Szeto Ho Secondary School
5th March, 2015
Morning Assembly by 5A
Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bag (徵收膠袋稅)
A: Chung Chek Yin, Ivan
B: Lai Li Kam, Jack
C: Chin Hoi Yan, Alice
D: Hung Sum Yee, Sammie
A:
C:
A:
C:
A:
Hey, Alice, what’s in your plastic bag?
I’ve got some snacks from the supermarket. Do you want some?
No, thanks. By the way, do you know what day the 1st of April is?
Yipee! It’s April Fool’s Day.
Well, it’s true. But what I want to talk about is the full implementation(全面推行) of PSB
B:
Charging, which is going to take effect on 1st April.
PSB? Do you mean Plastic Shopping Bag? I have seen the poster on the train.
A:
B:
C:
D:
Bingo. Actually, the indiscriminate use of plastic shopping bags is a major and visible
environmental problem in Hong Kong. A landfill survey in 2005 indicated that some eight billion
plastic shopping bags are disposed of at landfills(堆填區) every year.
What an alarming figure! In other words(換言之), more than three plastic shopping bags are used
per person per day. Apparently, we use them excessively.
As far as I know, the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Bags was launched in 2009. It
places a 50 cents levy on all plastic shopping bags. The Scheme applied to about 3,300 retail
stores, mostly supermarkets, convenience stores(便利店), and medicare and cosmetics stores in
the first phase(首階段).
According to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the scheme has been successful,
reducing plastic bag usage by 75% in the stores affected by the scheme. However, EPD
inspections showed a 6% increase in plastic bag disposal at local landfills. Many other retail
outlets are still distributing PSBs to their customers as a matter of routine(常規) and the PSBs
A:
D:
B:
A:
C:
continue to be a serious problem in Hong Kong.
That’s why the Government launched a 3-month consultation in extending the PSB Levy Scheme
in May 2011. On the whole, the community’s feedback supported an extension of the Scheme to
cover all retail outlets so as to further address the problem of excessive PSB use in the territory.
Let’s not forget that every approach has its pros and cons. I really wonder if it is too early to say
whether the Scheme will be effective(有效) or not. Though it may encourage people use fewer
plastic bags, the Scheme itself is not flawless. For example, it may increase plastic content waste
like pre-packing bags and recycled shopping bags.
I also think that the environmental responsibilities should be shared by all stakeholders.
Manufacturers, retailers and consumers have different roles to play in order to reduce the
consumption of plastic bags. It is not fair for consumers to bear(承擔)all the costs.
I think so. What comes to my mind is that registered supermarkets may invest the extra income
from selling plastic bags in environmental protection and conservation programmes.
Great minds think alike! (英雄所見略同)To ensure the environmental measures can be carried
out smoothly, community promotion and education are really essential in cultivating new habits
for the public.
Useful phrases
Example
In other words
He has an appointment today. In other words, I don’t think he is coming to join us.
On the whole
On the whole, students in our school are well-behaved but there are always
exceptions to the rule.
Great minds think alike.
Great minds think alike. I was just thinking we should do that too. Let’s go!