Started from 7th July 2009, the environmental levy is set at 50 cents for each plastic shopping bag given out at a registered retail outlet in Hong Kong.

We offer biodegradable (starch based) bags which are NOT subjected to the levy because they are not made of any of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and nylon.
http://upmplastic.com/product.asp?action=detailed&id=1082&page=1&pid=281

Plastic Shopping Bags Subject to the Environmental Levy

• PSB that is wholly or partly made of plastic(see note 1 below)
• PSB with a handle, handle hole, perforated line for tearing out a handle hole, carrying string or strap, or any other carrying device on, or attached to, the bag
• shopping bags made partly with plastic are plastic shopping bags such as:
• paper shopping bags made partly with plastic such as plastic lamination or plastic handles
• non-woven bags made of polypropylene (commonly known as environmental bags

Note 1: Plastic includes but not limited to polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and nylon.

Plastic Shopping Bags not Subject to Environmental Levy

• PSB that is sold at a price of $5.00 or more
• 2 or more bags that are sold as a pre-packaged pack at a price of $5.00 or more per pack
• a bag that contains either unpackaged goods or more than one piece of goods; and is sealed before the goods are supplied to the retailer concerned
• plastic bags that do not have a handle (e.g. bags that are commonly offered for wrapping fresh fruit, seafood, or bakery)

(Reference: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/psb/en/environmental_plastic_bag.html)