Lawmaker Tony Tse on Wednesday called for Hong Kong's plastic bag levy to be increased to HK$2.

The government last month proposed raising the charge from HK$0.5 to at least HK$1 per bag and aims to implement a new fee arrangement on December 31.

On an RTHK programme, Tse – who represents the architectural, surveying, planning and landscape sector – said he believes a HK$2 levy would be effective.

“Of course, as a member of the public, I understand that any increase in expenses would be undesirable. But one should remember that you have a choice. You can choose not to take a plastic bag,” he said.

“You can remind yourself to prepare a bag yourself, or not to buy too much so you don’t need a bag. Sometimes when it’s convenient and free or cheap, people wouldn’t care and would not be so aware,” said Tse.

On the same programme, Liberal Party lawmaker Shiu Ka-fai – who represents the wholesale and retail sector – said while he doesn’t think a higher plastic bag levy would dampen consumer sentiment, he believes the exemption for frozen or chilled foodstuff should stay in place.

“Some goods are wet or cold. [A plastic bag] is necessary. Say, I buy three cans of drinks or three ice creams at a convenience store I happen to walk past, instead of a supermarket. Do I need a plastic bag? If I hold them in my hands instead of a bag they’d be melted when I hand them over to my friends two blocks away,” he said.

The government said that when the levy was first introduced in 2015, the number of plastic bags disposed of dropped by a quarter, but the figure rebounded in the following years.