From This Earth Day Forward: Hong Kong Implements Ban on Single-Use Plastics

What is the challenge?

Hong Kong, a large city consisting of nearly 7.5 million residents, is home to 17,000 restaurants that grapple with the annual disposal of tens of thousands of plastic, a significant portion originating from takeaway meals (Lee & Surya, 2024). Based on Greenpeace’s findings, single-use plastics are identified as the second most prominent source of plastic waste in Hong Kong, after single-use plastic bags (Fung, 2024). The city produces approximately 3,225 tonnes of food waste each day which totals more than 1 million tonnes yearly. The Environmental Protection Department has established that one-third of Hong Kong’s entire municipal solid waste is food waste; however, only 4 percent of  the waste is currently being recycled (Foo, 2023). 

What is the solution?

The legislative council made a transformative decision last year on October 18 that is set to significantly impact our city’s environmental development. This decision involved the prohibition of single-use plastic items, signifying a critical stride towards fostering a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. Notably, this legislation came into effect this year, on April 22nd, coinciding with Earth Day. By enacting the ban on such an important day, Hong Kong has sent a powerful message to the public that businesses will refrain from their normal practices and improve its image as a sustainable and forward-thinking city (HKFP, 2023).

What are the new measures taken?

The first phase of the ban began on April 22 where single-use plastics, including food containers, styrofoam, straws and cutlery were prohibited from being distributed to dine-in and takeaway customers (Fung, 2024). Instead of disposable plastic tableware, including straws and cutlery, alternatives like wood, bamboo, sugarcane and paper have been used as replacements across all stores  (Hicks, 2024). The second phase of the ban aims to begin as early as 2025, which is said to outlaw single-use plastic takeaway containers and cups (Lee & Surya, 2024). 

What is the impact?

So, will green cutlery be the final solution to Hong Kong’s plastic ban? The first six months following the ban will be an “adjustment period,” which means the government will not take any regulations against businesses that disregard the rule (Chan, 2024). The Environmental Protection Department says survey in the first week of the ban displays that almost half of restaurants overall had changed over to greener alternatives, however smaller catering industries are still struggling to adapt to this change (Lin, 2024).  Only 2 out of the 8 eateries that the Hong Kong Free Press visited have started to adapt to this change by utilising paper containers for takeaway meals, although none have switched to eco-friendly cutlery (Lee, 2024). After the adjustment period, businesses that disregard the ban may be fined up to HK$100 000. Alternatively, they may be subjected to a fixed penalty system, wherein they could be fined HK$2000 (SCMP, 2024).

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