Environment Secretary Tse Chin-wan on Monday said there's no magic formula to change people's habits on waste disposal, adding that officials will take the lead in testing out a new charging scheme in government buildings from April.

The government earlier postponed a pay-as-you-throw scheme to August followed public concern about how it will work.

Speaking on an RTHK programme, Tse said it can take years to make a difference.

"In many places, it takes a long time to change people's habits. There's no such thing as a magical day where we press a button and change society. It normally takes three to five years for society to change," he said.

"Although it takes more time, I think it's easier for us to change people's habits and establish a culture."

The minister also brushed aside online comments that the designated rubbish bags people will have to buy are easily torn, saying they have passed all tests of relevant standards.

Meanwhile, Yau Wing-kwong, founder of the Environmental Association, said it was reasonable for the government to delay the scheme to allow the public more time to prepare.

"We have seen a massive increase in recycling. People are clearing up what they don't need in their home and they take it to recycling. So I think this is a good thing that happened. People realise that waste charging is really coming and are responding to it. And I think gradually they will get used to the waste charging scheme," he told RTHK's Hong Kong Today programme.