A “conservative estimate” made by the General Union of Neighborhood Associations (UGAMM) in a recent survey showed that on average, each Macau resident used between 4.07 and 4.94 plastic bags per week, or between 0.58 and 0.71 pieces per day.
The UGAMM recommends the government review the policy of plastic bag charges, given it has been in place for some time already. The group suggests the government scrutinize the effectiveness of the policy, if it has met the government’s and the society’s expectations and if any adjustment or extension is needed.
A total of 1,090 Macau residents of age 18 years or above were interviewed on the streets last month. The survey discovered that 65% of the respondents were in the habit of carrying their own reusable shopping bag.
Meanwhile, 57% would carry their own drink bottle and nearly 40% food containers or dining utensils.
It was discovered that respondents were generally supportive of the policy banning the importation of styrofoam containers. They were also supportive of banning single-use non-biodegradable straws and stirrers.
On suggestion made to the government prior to banning the latter two tools, the UGAMM pointed out that replacements and promotions must be well planned. If no consensus is achieved, a ban on non-biodegradable stirrers can prevail, so as to implement ecological policies with the least impact on users.
In another area, the survey also discovered that 41% of respondents considered trash categorization as the most urgent initiative which the government should enhance.
Approximately 37% of the respondents found restricting single-use non-biodegradable straws and stirrers the most urgent. Several other initiatives, such as pushing forward the use of natural gas, electric stoves, electric vehicles, battery and kitchen waste recycling, were considered urgent by approximately the same percentage of respondents.
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