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Leopold Chen

Sammy Heung

Hong Kong traders are urging authorities to grant another grace period before a ban on single-use plastics is extended to more products next year, as the reprieve before select pieces of tableware and other items became prohibited wrapped up on Monday.
A supplier emphasised the need for a transition period to help businesses adjust to the new regulation, while retailers had a mixed outlook for the future.
Alvis Yip Pak-lun, founder of Supply Ching, suggested a staggered approach to help eateries switch to alternative products, allowing time for suppliers to adapt.
“If they switch to all alternative cutlery at once, it will be difficult for us suppliers,” he told a radio programme on Monday.
Authorities enacted the first phase of the plastics ban on April 22 of this year, with a transition period of six months.
The first stage mainly targets expanded polystyrene receptacles and other disposable plastic tableware considered too small and difficult to recycle, such as stirrers, straws, knives, forks, spoons and plates.
The grace period ended on Monday, with the Environmental Protection Department to start taking enforcement action the following day against businesses offering the prohibited products.
The second phase, which is expected to start next year, will ban all uses of throwaway plastics in restaurants, and prohibit plastic food containers, six-pack yokes for canned drinks, tablecloths, disposable gloves and plastic-stemmed dental floss.
“The current period is important for everyone to adopt the switch gradually, so that the expected outcome can be achieved. Or else, we will be in a mess,” Yip said.
He added that as the supply of non-plastic cutlery stabilised and transport costs had gone down due to bulk purchasing, the price of the products had dropped by 10 per cent.
Yip said the focus of demand for non-plastic tableware had changed from being price-conscious in the past to being more concerned about quality.
He explained that restaurants initially lacked familiarity with product characteristics, but over time, they learned how to match the cutlery with different dishes.

Rainbow Woo, a staff member at Yue Cheong Plastic Bag Fastfood Goods Company in Yau Ma Tei, also backed a grace period for the second phase, but added it would be better if the next stage was cancelled.
The 70-year-old business had tried to sell more alternatives to plastic meal boxes, but clients still preferred plastic ones, she said.
“When we cannot sell plastic meal boxes, we do not have anything left to sell,” she said.
Woo added that the shop had about 10 boxes of plastic cutlery products weighing 800lbs (363kg) to 1,000lbs left in stock, which were worth more than HK$10,000 (US$1,280).
A check by the Post on Monday morning found plastic straws and tableware available at the shop on Reclamation Street that were labelled as “discontinued items”, with some being offered as buy one, get one free.
“I hope the government can buy them from us and recycle them. Or else it will be another waste if we just dump them tomorrow,” Woo said on Monday.
Woo also hit out at authorities over the lack of clear definitions regarding prohibited items.
“They said plastic plates were not allowed. But what about those used in supermarkets to hold the raw meat? We still do not know if we can sell those in the future,” Woo said.
“Some suppliers told us some plates were environmentally friendly and could be sold … but they turned out to be banned later.”
But other retailers said they had managed to get rid of most of their stock, and remained more hopeful about the future.
Dragon Cheung, owner of the Luen Fat Plastic Bag store on Nam Cheong Street, said he was pleased with the grace period, having sold most of his supply of plastic cutlery and straws.
“I am quite satisfied with the situation now as there is a very limited stock left,” he said of his inventory, now worth only a few hundred dollars.
“If I cannot sell them today, I will use them myself or give them out to my friends.”

Cheung revealed that the store had seen more people coming to buy plastic cutlery in the past few months, with most buying straws and spending less than HK$100 in each transaction. He noted that a pack of 100 straws cost about HK$5.
“People will buy some to stock up for their own use,” said Cheung, who noted that plastic straws were most popular among average buyers.
“I still cannot foresee if the plastic ban will do good or bad to my business.”
A staff member at Wah Kiu Plastic Bags in Sham Shui Po also said the store had largely got rid of its stock of plastic cutlery.
“We only have a few packs of spoons left and if we can sell them out, we will use them ourselves,” he said.
He added that the store’s suppliers had ceased to provide them with plastic tableware half a month ago.
“We will sell alternative cutlery instead. I don’t think it is a big deal for our business,” the staff member said.
The Environmental Protection Department earlier said that warning letters would be issued from Tuesday to shops found offering banned plastic items.
The warning letters would require violators to remove prohibited products in 10 days, with non-compliance resulting in penalties, it said.


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Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong traders call for grace period ahead of second phase of plastics ban next year

A takeaway drink sold in Causeway Bay offers customers plastic straws, a disallowed item. Photo: Eugene Lee

Suppliers display alternatives to plastic cutlery. Photo: Edmond So

A delivery man carries a bag of takeaway food during lunch hour in Causeway Bay. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong firms to face warnings, fines for flouting plastics ban after grace period

Hong Kong introduced the first stage of the single-use plastics ban on April 22. Photo: Jelly Tse

Environment chief Tse Chin-wan says errant retailers will be issued warnings on-site and given 10 working days for rectification. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Some Hong Kong firms struggle to replace single-use plastics as end of ban grace period nears

7-Eleven in April provided customers with disposable plastic boxes, paper tableware and bamboo sticks regardless of takeaway or dine-in orders. Photo: Eugene Lee

A staff member of a restaurant in Central packs takeaway food with eco friendly utensils. Photo: Elson Li

Customers at a restaurant in Central have their meals served with takeaway cutlery and utensils. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong shops still selling glow sticks for Mid-Autumn despite single-use plastics ban

Glow sticks on sale at a Wan Chai toy store. Photo: Dickson Lee

Glow sticks are on the city’s list of prohibited single-use plastic products under a ban that came into effect on April 22. Photo: Dickson Lee

Authorities have warned they will use enforcement powers even during the plastics ban’s grace period if repeated advice is ignored. Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

A supplier stresses need for transition period to help businesses adjust to new regulation


A supplier stresses need for transition period to help businesses adjust to new regulation.
