Hong Kong's 'pay-as-you-throw' waste disposal put on hold(5)

Progress on plastics

The setback in waste charging has not deterred Hong Kong's long-term pursuit of waste control.

The city began the first phase of its ban on single-use plastics on April 22.

Restaurants are banned from offering nine types of products made of expanded polystyrene — a nonbiodegradable material — such as cutlery, straws, plates, cups and lids, as well as food containers.

Cotton buds with plastic parts, umbrella bags and many other single-use plastic products have been removed from shop shelves. Hotels are not allowed to offer plastic-handled toothbrushes and combs, shower supplies packed in plastic containers, and free plastic bottles of water in rooms.

Yeung said replacing plastic tableware with eco-friendly materials is expected to lead to additional costs of 20 to 30 percent for restaurants. A six-month grace period set by the government allows restaurants to gradually replace their plastic products without facing harsh penalties, a measure which Yeung described as "very reasonable".

The city's Environment Bureau said in May that of 7,000 restaurants it had inspected, over 70 percent had fully switched to nonplastic products. Over 90 percent of the 5,000 retail shops and hotels bureau officials visited were complying with the ban.

Iu from Civic Exchange applauded the plastic ban, saying it had sent a strong message to residents and tourists about Hong Kong's commitment to waste reduction.