Businesses need not worry about plastic ban: official

Environment and Ecology Secretary Tse Chin-wan says businesses do not have to worry too much about a ban on plastic tableware that takes effect from Monday, as it's not the government's goal to "punish" them with the policy. Writing on his blog, the official said vendors can use up their plastic products during a six-month grace period so they will not be wasted. Tse added that even when the grace period ends, authorities will educate vendors first in case of violation, instead of taking enforcement action immediately. "We understand that a process of changing customs is needed, and it will take time for businesses to adjust the way they operate to comply with the ban. So, we will try our best to provide appropriate assistance when implementing the policy," Tse wrote. The official said the catering, retail and hotel sectors all support the measure that will see restaurants banned from selling and using polystyrene tableware and plastic cutlery, while hotels will no longer be allowed to provide free plastic products like toothbrushes. Tse said many hotels have switched to wooden toothbrushes and combs, while some eateries have bought non-plastic cutlery. He called on restaurants to choose suitable eco-tableware, noting that there have been concerns that paper pulp cutlery might become unusable when soaked in hot liquids. "There are many choices in addition to paper pulp, including wood, bamboo, bagasse pulp, wood pulp and straw pulp. Local restaurants serve a wide variety of food, and they should choose suitable tableware based on the different dishes they serve," Tse said. The minister added that restaurants will not be required by law to charge customers for non-plastic tableware.