Most Hong Kong restaurants willing to lend customers containers for takeaway orders, survey finds, but industry leader casts doubt on idea
- Environmental group Greeners Action urges government to promote takeaway container borrowing services in community as further step to reduce plastic
- Simon Wong, honorary president of Institute Of Dining Professionals, says it will not be easy to execute such a scheme at scale although intentions are good
Environmental group Greeners Action, which carried out the survey, suggested the government promote takeaway container borrowing services in the community as a further step to reduce plastic, despite a lukewarm response from a catering industry leader.
“Although paper, wood and bamboo are easier to decompose than plastics, utensils made of such materials don’t change their nature – they are still disposable,” said Beatrice Siu Wing-yin, senior public affairs officer at Greeners Action.
“Promoting bringing your own tableware and reusable, washable tableware rental are the best ways to reduce waste at the source.”
Greeners Action surveyed 171 restaurants between March and April and found that 68 per cent of the respondents were willing to take part in tableware renting practices.
Close to two-fifths said they were willing to set up reusable container rental machines on the premises.
