Hong Kong sticks a fork in disposable plastic products

HONG KONG: Is there a diner in Hong Kong that will accept plastic forks? Travel on Earth Day, nbsp; According to a bill that the city’s legislature passed on Wednesday( Oct 18 ), customers will need to start looking for more environmentally friendly cutlery starting on April 22.

The fund capital’s second-largest supply of municipal solid waste is plastic waste, with an average daily disposal of 2,331 tonnes in 2021 — a fat equivalent to almost 70 child humpback whales.

The city passed revisions to a Product Eco-Responsibility Bil on Wednesday, putting into effect the second phase of the ban on the purchase and delivery of various plastic products on Earth Day, April 22, 2024.

This means that dine-in and takeaway services will be prohibited in 28,000 restaurants across the city, along with” expanded polystyrene( EPS ) tableware and other disposable plastic tablecloths that are small in size and difficult to recycle ,” according to a government announcement.

Although using sauce for takeout is also permitted until phase two begins, serving it in a plastic container is also prohibited.

Step two’s stop, according to the government, do” depend on the availability and affordability of the important non-plastic or washable alternatives.”

Disposable hearing wires, plastic water bottles, and amenities like plastic-handled toothpaste will all be prohibited from being offered as discounts in Hong Kong’s resorts and airlines.

Shops that sell glow sticks, gathering hats, cake toppers, and cotton buds may also experience a decline.

Any infractions could result in a fine of HK$ 2,000 to 100,000( US$ 250 to US$ 12,800 ) for the offender.

During the conference, senator Peter Koon worried about the inconvenience getting rid of these plastic items would bring along with the additional costs for locals and visitors.

Koon said,” I had the experience of purchasing takeout hot soup from a store that had adopted paper vessels, but when I got home, the vessel had broken and the dish had run out.”

” I implore government to be more cautious in a world where Chinese food predominates, lest it lead to the opposite of what we wish.” “”

According to senator Michael Tien, the actual work of the Bill will start after it has passed.

The ( Environment and Ecology ) Bureau will have a very heavy and significant responsibility for” How to introduce the alternative choices to the public, how to support the industries.” “”

Greenpeace activist Leanne Tam stated that Hong Kong has been debating this issue for” on a 10″ upon hearing the news.

In terms of reducing plastic waste, Hong Kong is presently catching up to different locations in the area. “”