Hong Kong plans to launch a "plastic restriction order" in April next year
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October 27, 2023, 10:17 AM
The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passed the "Product Environmental Responsibility (Amendment) Bill 2023" on the 18th to control disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products. According to the arrangement, the control measures will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will be implemented in April 2024 6 months after being adopted; the second phase of control will be implemented in 2025, and the specific time depends on the popularity of non-plastic alternatives.
As far as plastic tableware is concerned, the "Plastic Restriction Order" prohibits the sale of disposable plastic tableware locally and prohibits catering establishments from providing any disposable plastic tableware to customers; it will be carried out in two stages until all types of disposable tableware are fully "unplasticized".
The control of other plastic products is also carried out in two stages, including prohibiting the sale and supply of disposable plastic products that are mature substitutes on the market or are not necessary for life, and prohibiting hotels and hotels from supplying disposable plastic packaging for free. Plastic bottled water is provided in the room, and the manufacturing, sales and supply of oxidized degradable plastic products are prohibited.
Industry insiders said that global plastic reduction is a major trend, and Hong Kong should also reduce and stop using disposable plastic products. After the implementation of the "plastic restriction order", it is estimated that 55,000 tons of disposable plastic tableware waste will be reduced every year and the pressure on landfills will be reduced. The government should pay attention to the problem of over-packaging in the next step and pay attention to whether there are more and more pre-packaged plastic tableware.
In order to encourage the industry to promote "non-plasticizing" as soon as possible and understand relevant alternatives, the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department has established an "Green Tableware" online information platform for reference by the catering industry, suppliers and citizens. As of press time, the reporter saw on the platform that 37 tableware suppliers have applied for registration, two of which are from China and the rest are Hong Kong companies. Source: recycled plastic
As far as plastic tableware is concerned, the "Plastic Restriction Order" prohibits the sale of disposable plastic tableware locally and prohibits catering establishments from providing any disposable plastic tableware to customers; it will be carried out in two stages until all types of disposable tableware are fully "unplasticized".
The control of other plastic products is also carried out in two stages, including prohibiting the sale and supply of disposable plastic products that are mature substitutes on the market or are not necessary for life, and prohibiting hotels and hotels from supplying disposable plastic packaging for free. Plastic bottled water is provided in the room, and the manufacturing, sales and supply of oxidized degradable plastic products are prohibited.
Industry insiders said that global plastic reduction is a major trend, and Hong Kong should also reduce and stop using disposable plastic products. After the implementation of the "plastic restriction order", it is estimated that 55,000 tons of disposable plastic tableware waste will be reduced every year and the pressure on landfills will be reduced. The government should pay attention to the problem of over-packaging in the next step and pay attention to whether there are more and more pre-packaged plastic tableware.
In order to encourage the industry to promote "non-plasticizing" as soon as possible and understand relevant alternatives, the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department has established an "Green Tableware" online information platform for reference by the catering industry, suppliers and citizens. As of press time, the reporter saw on the platform that 37 tableware suppliers have applied for registration, two of which are from China and the rest are Hong Kong companies. Source: recycled plastic