Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Sunday said less than half of the participants in the pay-as-you-throw scheme trial used the government’s designated green rubbish bags.

Authorities had last week given the bags to residents and businesses participating in the trial, but speaking on a television programme, Tse said the usage of the designated bags was low, with only about 20 to 50 percent of households participating using them for waste disposal.

He said participants have expressed concerns regarding the shape of the bags.

"There's also been some feedback indicating that our bags are not easy to package, especially the larger ones, as they don't have a handle. It’s not easy to tie them securely," he added.

"If we could have a handle or a tie on both sides, it would be easier for users to tie them. This is a technical aspect that has been raised as a concern."

The environment minister also said the trial will provide valuable technical insights, such as cost, profitability, and participants' feedback, for the government.

The waste charging scheme is scheduled to commence in August.