On April 22, the "World Earth Day", Hong Kong began to implement the first phase of the control of disposable plastics, prohibiting merchants from distributing and selling some designated plastic products free of charge. Hong Kong's Environment and Ecology Bureau ("ENB") said on social media that in order to promote a "plastic-free" culture, the main principle of the new legislation to control single-use plastics is to reduce the use of single-use plastic products.
However, when Hong Kong's economy faced the impact of Hong Kong people's consumption in the north, the implementation of plastic removal caused environmental protection and business to start a whirlwind.
01
Full of expectations
"I believe that a new green 'plastic-free' culture will soon be established in Hong Kong to contribute to the protection of human health and the earth's ecology. On Monday (22nd), the Environment Bureau said that Director Tse Chin-wan visited four restaurants and two retail stores to learn about the implementation of "plastic removal" on the first day.
Under the new legislation, the supply and sale of disposable plastic tableware, including styrofoam cutlery (food containers, plates, cups), plastic straws, plastic knives and forks, plastic dishes and plastic stirring sticks, will cease to be available and sold. Cotton swabs, toothpicks and umbrella bags commonly used by the public are no longer allowed to be supplied or sold free of charge. Hotels and guesthouses in Hong Kong are not allowed to provide disposable toiletries such as plastic toothbrushes, combs, and small bottles of shower gel free of charge.
Shek O Hok Tsui Garbage Bay (Source: Ta Kung Wen Hui All Media)
Xie Zhanhuan pointed out that two of the four restaurants visited have been fully "plasticized". According to a post by the Environment Bureau, the person in charge of one of the Chinese restaurants pointed out that before purchasing alternative tableware with their staff, they had tried different styles of substitutes and selected the most suitable tableware for the dish;
Another Portuguese restaurant has also switched to substitute tableware, and the person in charge said that there are many alternatives, and the restaurant also uses a darker paper spoon, which has no problems in use, and has not received customer complaints about poor quality. In addition, the care products shops visited by the Environment Bureau have switched from selling rubber-stemmed cotton swabs to paper cotton swabs a few months ago, and pharmacies have switched to selling wooden and paper-sled cotton swabs at the end of last year.
Xie Zhanhuan visited retail stores to learn about the implementation of "plastic free" (Source: Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau's official social media account)
For the Hong Kong government, the implementation of "plastic free" needs the support of the industry. "The F&B, retail and hotel sectors are all important stakeholders," Mr Tse said in his blog post.
02
Let's take a step
Wong Ka-wo, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said that about one-third of the 18,000 restaurants in Hong Kong have switched to environmentally friendly disposable tableware, especially chain and large restaurants, while many small and medium-sized restaurants have not yet adopted them due to rising costs.
According to Ming Pao, a clerk at a roast goose shop said that a week ago she had switched to lunch boxes made of environmentally friendly materials, and as for the cost of replacing lunch boxes, she said that they were a little more expensive than styrofoam boxes, and the cost was expected to be passed on to customers.
"We believe that when demand increases and production increases, costs will fall further, and related expenses will be reduced." In the article, Tse said that some suppliers revealed that in response to the implementation of the new legislation, more and more restaurants have made enquiries and orders for non-plastic tableware from them.
Xie Zhanhuan learned about the implementation of "plastic removal" in a restaurant (Source: Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau's official social account)
Wong Ka-wo also said on a radio program that although bamboo, organic fibre or wooden tableware is currently more expensive than plastic tableware, it is not unacceptable. For example, he cited a paper straw that costs about 30% more than a plastic straw that costs 1 milligram each, while a bamboo straw costs 2 to 3 millimeters. He expects that when the volume of purchases increases, the price of eco-friendly tableware will drop accordingly. (Note: 1 millimeter is HK$0.1)
Chui Ting-pong, director general of the Tourism Promotion Association, who is the chief operating officer of Oss Hotel, also said in the same program that the hotel will provide wooden toothbrushes and paper-wrapped toothpaste according to the new regulations, and will not provide disposable slippers and bottled water, adding that although the related costs have increased by 10% to 20% after switching to non-plastic products, they are still within the affordable range. However, he pointed out that it is still difficult to find alternatives to shower caps and razors, and he hoped that the EPD could help provide a channel for alternative products.
Cui Dingbang shows the non-plastic products dedicated to Oss Hotel (Source: Wen Wei Po)
03
Get used to it slowly
At present, Hong Kong has a six-month adaptation period. During the adaptation period, EPD officers will not enforce the law against non-compliant operations. Mr Tse said the EPD would adopt a "step-by-step" approach to facilitate a smooth transition for the industry.
"After the six-month adaptation period, the EPD will continue to adopt a publicity-and-education model. If a trader is found to be still in compliance, it will first understand the actual situation and difficulties of the individual trader, and make appropriate publicity, education or warnings according to the circumstances." Xie Zhanhuan said that law enforcement actions will be taken according to the actual situation for businesses that have been repeatedly persuaded to change.
Xie Zhanhuan learned about the implementation of "plastic removal" in a restaurant (Source: Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau's official social account)
Li Jiachao also pointed out at a press conference before the Executive Council today (23rd) that many advanced cities have implemented measures to replace plastic products, and Hong Kong has just started, hoping that the public will have environmental awareness and experience. "The Government will continue to listen to opinions, for example, by providing more choices to suppliers and the public," he said. ”
The UK environment department announced as early as January 14 last year that England will ban a series of single-use plastic products from October 2023 to limit plastic pollution.
According to the BBC, single-use plastic plates, bowls and trays, as well as certain types of polystyrene cups and boxes, will be banned from use and sale in shops, restaurants and hotels. The period leading up to October will serve as an adaptation period, after which companies that do not comply with the ban will be fined and will be held criminally liable if they repeat offenders.
People eat in the outdoor area of a restaurant in London, England (Source: Xinhua News Agency)
Elsewhere in the UK, Scotland and Wales have introduced similar legislation in 2021. The UK Environment Department said in a statement that the decision was made after a public consultation by the government, with 95% of respondents supporting the ban. The UK uses 2.7 billion pieces of disposable cutlery every year, most of which are made from plastic, but only 10% is ultimately recycled, according to the government.
Environmental Protection Director Tsui Ho-kwong said: "With the implementation of the new legislation, Hong Kong is expected to catch up with the pace of a plastic-free world. We call on the industry and the public to support 'Plastic-free, Walk-Away' and work together to protect the planet." ”
Mr Tsui visited the branches of three large restaurant chains in Hong Kong (Source: Information Services Department)
Text | Feng Jihong
Reporter of Hong Kong Economic Herald
Our reporter Lu Mengting also contributed to this article