The government is postponing Hong Kong's pay-as-you-throw scheme to August 1, after questions arose about how the policy will work.

However, Environment Secretary Tse Chin-wan said government departments will start using designated rubbish bags as planned from April 1, as a trial.

Speaking to reporters at government headquarters, Tse said this will help people understand the scheme, and will also allow the authorities to iron out any issues before it is put in place across the city.

"In this week, I noted many discussions and questions raised by various sectors of the community about waste charging and many people expressed their concerns to me that the general public do not understand how waste charging will be implemented and the related details," he said.

Tse also said the government will use the coming months to proactively show the public how the scheme will work.

"We would put forward demonstrations so that different people, different sectors and the public can actually see the waste charging - in operation - how it is operated and if you have some minor problems, how would they be resolved, et cetera. I think that is the best way," he said.

The minister added that the sale of designated rubbish bags will begin later this month as scheduled.

Approved by the Legislative Council in 2021, the scheme was originally supposed to have started by the end of last year.

Under the policy, households and private premises are required to purchase government-approved plastic bags. Restaurants, care homes and property management companies have expressed concerns about complying with the new rules.