Hong Kong styrofoam giant goes from making 10 million boxes a month to eco-friendly utensils after plastics ban
- Yee Wah Global says it hopes to transform ban into opportunity by investing in and researching alternative tableware
- ‘The whole world is walking towards reducing the use of styrofoam … as long as we are doing business in this place, we have to follow the law,’ company’s Patrick Leung says
Yee Wah Global has churned out more than a hundred million styrofoam food containers in about 25 years on its journey to become the product’s largest manufacturer in Hong Kong, but a new ban designed to cut down on waste sparked a change of course for the company.
Patrick Leung Hon-kit, the company’s marketing manager, said it wanted to transform the situation into an opportunity by research and investment into alternative tableware.
“The whole world is walking towards reducing the use of styrofoam,” Leung said.
“A candlemaker does not complain that people are using light bulbs instead of candles. As long as we are doing business in this place, we have to follow the law.”
The manufacturer’s change of direction was prompted by the government’s staged ban on single-use plastics. The first phase came into force on April 22, although a grace period was allowed.
Businesses were banned from the sale or supply of styrofoam and other disposable plastic tableware, such as forks, spoons, plates, knives, straws and stirrers, for dine-in or takeaway use.
Single-use cups, cup lids or food containers are also prohibited for customers who sit in to eat.
