The Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) launched a 45-day public consultation regarding a 'Plastic Shopping Bag Usage Limitation System' on 23rd December 2015 which concludes on 5th February 2016. The Bureau suggests to firstly impose a plastic shopping bag levy covering certain retail outlets - namely, supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, department stores, food souvenir shops, bakeries, cosmetics outlets and health supplies beauty shops - and that retailers charge at least MOP1 for each bag provided to consumers.

In the system, it suggests different plastic shopping bags - comprising all or partial plastic be charged, with the only exemption being for food hygiene reasons. It also advocates monitoring retailers, who would be subject to a fixed penalty for non-compliance, in order to avoid violations.

According to DSPA research, the average Macao resident uses about 2.2 plastic shopping bags a day, equating to a capacity of 450 million per year; for visitors, the average per person per trip (respondents spending at least half a day in Macao) use about two plastic shopping bags, with the majority supplied by souvenir shops and grocery stores.

Prior to the conclusion of the consultation period, panels are displaying information about the Plastic Shopping Bag Usage Limitation System outside Taipa Flower City Garden and Leisure Area of Lok Yeong Fa Yuen Building on the Macao Peninsula at different periods. Advisory text and comments advice can be found on the DSPA website: www.dspa.gov.mo/richtext.aspx?a_id=101077#.