HK authorities refute allegations of easily torn waste disposal bags

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has refuted allegations of easily torn waste disposal bags that were shown in a viral online video on 19 January. 

This came after the viral video which purportedly tested the durability of the designated bags which were introduced by the authorities under the delayed waste-charging scheme. The video showed the fragility of the designated bags, claiming that the bags could be easily torn apart.

Additionally, the garbage bag in the video was labelled with the words "for testing" (測試用). The video has been removed at the time of writing, a check by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE saw on Facebook. 

The EPD said in an official statement on 21 January that the remarks within the video were entirely defamatory and slanderous, and what was shown in the video was not the designated bags that are not yet on sale.

“The designated bags to be put on sale soon have already passed all tests of relevant international and national standards and will not be easily damaged. Relevant tests include minimum tensile strength, minimum percentage of elongation, puncture and impact resistance,” the statement reads.

Moreover, a video was uploaded as part of the statement showing that a 15-litre designated waste disposal bag is still intact after carrying 8.5 kg of goods and being stretched repeatedly.

The EPD has reminded the public to be vigilant of the recent rumours that undermine the quality of designated bags with malicious intent to undermine the quality of designated bags. 

“The EPD will refer cases with suspected criminal elements to the police for follow-up investigation,” it added.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to the EPD and the police respectively for a statement.

The rollout of the municipal solid waste charging, which was supposed to be established on 1 April, had been postponed again until August amidst public controversies, Secretary for environment and ecology Tse Chin Wan said last Friday.

Regarding discussions concerning the material for manufacturing designated bags, the EPD clarified that the designated bags for municipal solid waste charging must be made of at least 20% recycled plastic, adding that it had already taken into consideration the durability of the bags and the principle of environmental protection.

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