'HK ready to extend ban on single-use plastics'

The head of a green group believes Hong Kong is prepared to extend its ban on single-use plastics, as the six-month adaptation period under the first phase of the ban ends on Monday. The end of the grace period means that people who fail to comply with the rules face fines of up to HK$100,000. According to the rules, restaurants are prohibited from using or selling polystyrene utensils, plastic straws, cutlery and plates. Hotels are also banned from freely distributing bathroom items made of plastic, including plastic-handled toothbrushes, plastic-packed toothpaste and shower caps. Other prohibited products include cotton buds, umbrella bags and glow sticks. Edwin Lau, founder and executive director of The Green Earth, said eateries and hotels are generally adapting well to the new regulations. “Through my observation, I gathered that most of the restaurants... I think most of them have done a good job to follow the single-use plastics ban, and they quickly can find the alternative. “I am aware that for the hotel industry they are still trying to find an alternative for shower caps. But apart from this item, the rest of the items, I heard them saying that hotels are quite alright in getting all those other alternatives or advising customers to use their own private sets,” he told RTHK. The second phase, set to begin in 2025, will extend the ban to include plastic cups, food containers for takeouts, as well as plastic dental floss and tablecloths. Lau sees no difficulties for businesses to adjust to the regulations, adding that phase 2 should be rolled out as soon as possible. “I'm sure with the first phase, they have adapted to the changes quite well. And I believe they are well-prepared for the introduction of the second phase of the single-use plastics ban. You can see there are many non-plastic alternatives for takeaway lunch box, congee bowl, and this is no big problem for them,” he said. Lau also noted that currently, many alternatives for plastic products are still of the single-use type, and officials should enhance promotion and encourage people to bring their own lunch boxes and cutlery. The Environmental Protection Department estimated that the catering sector has cut down on the use of 30 million sets of disposable cutlery since April. In a statement, the department also noted that 80 percent of customers at chain restaurants have stopped using takeaway cutlery, while 30 percent of eateries have decided to stop providing disposable cutlery for takeaways.

'HK ready to extend ban on single-use plastics'

'HK ready to extend ban on single-use plastics'

'HK ready to extend ban on single-use plastics'

'HK ready to extend ban on single-use plastics'

'HK ready to extend ban on single-use plastics'