An increasing number of Hong Kong residents are carrying their own shopping bags after a plastic bag-levy scheme came into being in early July, an environment official said Thursday.

"Since the implementation of the environmental levy scheme on plastic shopping bags, information shows more than 80 percent of people, including the elderly, are bringing their own shopping bags," said Kitty Poon, acting secretary for the Environment.

During her visit to an Elderly center in Kwun Tong, Poon distributed environmental bags to senior citizens and urged them to "set a good example to the younger generation in creating a greener environment."

She noted the Environmental Protection Department has been organizing various promotional and educational activities since May to introduce the environmental levy scheme and persuade them to carry their own shopping bags.

Under the levy scheme, registered retailers are required to charge customers 50 cents for each plastic shopping bag provided. Such retailers include major and chain supermarkets, convenience stores, personal health and beauty stores, and supermarkets in department stores.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2009)