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This implementation advocates for customers to use specified bags that are less resource-intensive and can be recycled systematically. This not only disincentives customers to repetitively purchase other plastic bags that contribute to environmental crises, but also ensures that less harm is posed, enhancing waste reduction and recycling.

Emma Stephanie

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Q15: Vague definition of misuse of public litter garbage cans prone to administrative disputes

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Q15: Vague definition of misuse of public litter garbage cans prone to administrative disputes

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1. Inevitably lead to disputes between law enforcers and the public, jeopardize the friendly relations between the two sides, waste administrative resources and reduce administrative efficiency

2. This will inevitably lead to more members of the public continuing to dispose of their domestic waste in public garbage cans. Enforcement officers will not be able to completely eliminate such behavior, and this will result in deterioration of public hygiene.

3. (Anson Padric)

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Disadvantages - citizens will ignore the price of bags

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Disadvantages - citizens will ignore the price of bags

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The governments main objective while implementing this policy is to make the public create less trash if the trash bags became more expensive, however this will severely backfire. Similar to Macao’s previous policy, plastic bags in the supermarket will cost 1 mop each, their goals align with Hong Kong’s objective to reduce plastic bag use / trash they create. As we all know, many Macau residents just ignored this policy and paid the 1 dollar price, and we think that this will also happen with Hong Kong’s policy. Citizens will just buy more trash bags and create the same amount of trash everyday, ignoring the increased price. Furthermore, they might even buy these bags in bulk since they are too lazy to go to the designated shops to buy trash bags every time.

Ivan, Kimi

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Disadvantage: Discourage people to obey this law

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Disadvantage: Discourage people to obey this law

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The waste charging scheme advocates citizens to use specific plastic bags to throw away their daily garbage. But, after some financial math, we can absolutely find out that this scheme only contributes to a bigger financial burden, because these plastics bags are much more expensive than the ones we are already using! Hence, there might be an increase in illegal dumping, which could worsen the situation.

We also found an article analyzing the both sides of this scheme. We have to give credit when credit was due.

Dickson S4A08, Natalie S4A42

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Will the Waste Charging Scheme Help With Waste Reduction in Hong Kong? | Earth.Org

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To fight the growing challenges of food waste and plastic pollution, in 2021, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed a new municipal waste charging scheme which is set to come into effect on April 1, 2024.

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After the covid pandemic, The Hong Kong government is very short of money. There are neither upper limit for tax-free waste consumption, nor rewarding apparatus for this policy. Non-avoidable home wastes such as product packages and broken furniture are also charged for disposal. This simply meant the Hong Kong government is able to increase tax income from basically every Hong Kong citizen.

Brandon

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Advantage-encourages people to produce less waste

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Advantage-encourages people to produce less waste

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different charging modes, so people are less likely to produce an excessive amount of waste due the the cost

Pre paid designated bags /labels

Weight of the waste

Berniece and Brayden

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Advantage: Educate people to reduce garbage production

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Advantage: Educate people to reduce garbage production

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Educate the people to reduce garbage production by making punishments i.e. the charged plastic bag. Punishments are the most efficient way to educate people. Educating people about 3Rs is the only viable way to solve the waste problem in the long term.

Daniel

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People may report others for not using designated bags for waste disposal, which makes the reporter and the people who are reported blaming and being angry with each other. Therefore, the policy creates a negative impact forward interperson relationships.

Natalie To, Serena

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Advantage: Charging because of necessity

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Advantage: Charging because of necessity

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When plastic bags are provided for free, people often use them without much consideration, leading to wastefulness and increased environmental damage. However, by implementing a charge for plastic bags, individuals are prompted to think twice before accepting them, considering reusable alternatives instead. This shift in mindset encourages responsible consumption and fosters a greater sense of environmental awareness, ultimately reducing plastic waste and its harmful impact on the planet. By valuing the resources and costs associated with plastic bags, charging for them prompts individuals to make more sustainable choices, contributing to a greener and more eco-conscious society.

Cory

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https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2024/01/20240120/20240120_190218_238.html

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Hong Kong's Information Services Department

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The Environmental Protection Department today clarified that to reduce the use of raw plastic, designated bags for Municipal Solid Waste Charging must be made of at least 20% recycled plastic, adding that it has already taken into consideration the durability of the bags and the principle of environmental protection.

In response to recent media reports and online discussions concerning the material for manufacturing designated bags, the department explained that all plastics claimed to be degradable require specific environments and temperatures, such as exposure to ultraviolet light or high temperature, to be completely degraded.

However, the department also pointed out that these conditions are absent in the anaerobic environment of the landfills in Hong Kong, therefore it takes a long time for plastics to decompose in the landfills.

Moreover, some degradable plastics, particularly oxo-degradable plastics, are in fact less environmentally friendly, as they will fragment into microplastics when they break down in the natural environment such as the ocean, exacerbating the harm to the environment while hindering recycling.

The use of oxo-degradable plastics has been banned in places like the European Union.

In Hong Kong, the manufacturing and sale of oxo-degradable plastic products will be banned starting April 22, the department added.

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The Environmental Protection Department clarifies that designated bags for Municipal Solid Waste Charging must be made of at least 20% recycled plastic.

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Recently, the government has adopted a waste-charging scheme, which will be implemented on August 1, 2024. This essay will examine the advantages and disadvantages of this policy.

Advantages:

1. Encourage responsible consumption

2. Increase tax income

Disadvantages:

1. Human disputes

2. Low effectiveness of this policy

Conclusion:

The implementation of designated waste bags is expected to have positive impacts on both environmental protection and government revenue. However, it is important to acknowledge the potential drawbacks, including increased public frustration and added workload for civilians, which should not be overlooked.