More shops to charge for bags:Plastic bag levy will be extended to all shops next year

MANY retailers already charge 50 cents for plastic bags. The levy will be extended to all shops from 1 April next year. The LegislativeCouncil (立法會) has passed the decision to expand the levy. Under the new law, shops do not need to return the plastic bag levy collected to the government. They also do not need to report the number of bags sold to customers. Random checks will be carried out. Retailers found acting against the law will be fined HK$2,000. Lawmakers believe that the levy will further reduce the usage of plastic bags. Some hoped to extend the scheme to electronic devices. The first stage of the Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags (塑膠購物袋環保徵費計劃) was carried out in July 2009. It covered about 3,000 outlets. The exemption will continue for bags used for fresh food and uncovered food from wet markets. Exemptions have also remained in place for bags used for carrying takeaway food and medicine. 1. levy (n) 稅 2. extend (v) 延伸 3. expand (v) 擴大 4. random (adj) 隨機的 5. retailer (n) 零售商 6. exemption (n) 豁免