EPD helps eateries, tourists adapt to tableware ban

Officials from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on Friday said efforts were underway to help restaurants and tourists adapt to an upcoming ban on the city’s plastic tableware. Under the first phase starting on April 22, restaurants will be banned from selling and using disposable polystyrene tableware, plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates. During a six-month adaptation period, officials will focus on education and dealing with problems rather than enforcement. "We have been going through the whole process of public education over the last six to nine months already. We have been continuously discussing with the trade and to introduce different types of non-plastic cutlery and also the materials so that the trade can use. In fact, we also have a six-month period so that they can learn how to use it and to adapt to the situation," said Director of Environmental Protection Samuel Chui. Chui said the department reached out to 20,000 eateries and would continue to help restaurants who struggle to find affordable alternatives, such as by introducing a QR code on suitable registered non-plastic products. Complimentary amenities in hotels and hostels are also to become a thing of the past. The department said there would be promotional posters and videos at border crossings to educate tourists not familiar with the policy. "We also advise the hotels, when the customer makes reservations, remind them we have already implemented this kind of measure so that it could help the customers. So the tourists know how to decide [whether] they want to bring their own toiletries to do their travel, or they could buy one provided by the hotel," said Joanne Yung, an assistant director with the EPD.