Hong Kong’s legislature has approved plans to impose a garbage levy, charging households for rubbish disposal according to the volume they produce.
The new scheme, approved on Thursday, means Hongkongers will have to pay for designated bags in which to dispose of their rubbish. The bags will come in nine different sizes, ranging from three litres to to 100 litres, with each litre to cost HK$0.11.
There is no set date for when the plan will kick in, but the government has said it hopes to implement the new regulations by 2023. Violators will face a fixed fine of HK$1,500 after an initial six month roll-out period.
Bags will be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores across the city, and also dispensed by vending machines near garbage disposals.
Low-income families will be subsidised with HK$10 of assistance a month for garbage disposal under the new plan.
The plan passed with 37 votes in favour and one against.
Correction 27.08.21: A previous version of this article stated designated rubbish bags will cost HK$1.10 a litre. This has been corrected to HK$0.11.
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