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Written by: Golden Chess Lao Minyi
2021-07-09 16:01
Last update date: 2021-07-09 16:02
The Environmental Protection Department today (9th) issued a consultation document recommending the implementation of the "Control of Disposable Plastic Tableware Program".
The authorities propose to give priority to the control of disposable styrofoam tableware and prohibit the sale of them locally. Catering establishments also prohibit the provision of disposable styrofoam tableware to customers.
As for other non-styrofoam disposable plastic tableware, the plan proposes to control it in two stages.
In the first phase, catering premises will be completely prohibited from providing all kinds of disposable plastic tableware to dine-in customers; while for take-out, disposable plastic drinking straws, stirring rods, forks, knives, spoons and dishes will be prohibited; in the second phase, take-out regulation Will be on par with dine-in.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the consultation period for the "Control of Disposable Plastic Tableware Program" will last for two months until September 8 this year.
According to the consultation document, according to the statistics in 2019, the average daily disposal volume of waste plastics is about 2,320 metric tons, accounting for about 20% of the disposal volume of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong landfills. Among them, the disposal of plastic tableware ranks second with about 200 metric tons per day. Most of them are disposable plastic tableware. A rough estimate is equivalent to the disposal of 14.6 billion plastic knives and forks throughout the year, or about 1,940 per capita.
The authorities also stated that the government's study on the feasibility, scope and mechanism of the control of disposable plastic tableware has been completed.
After referring to the experience of various parts of the world and considering the local situation, the research report recommends legislation to regulate disposable plastic tableware in stages, including styrofoam tableware, drinking straws, stirring rods, eating utensils (such as forks, knives and spoons), plates, and cups. , Cup lids, food containers (such as bowls and boxes) and food container lids, and exemptions are provided for individual special circumstances.
The plan proposes to control in two stages.
(Screenshot of consultation document)
The authorities propose to cover all kinds of plastic disposable tableware and take the lead in styrofoam tableware
The government proposes that the control plan should cover all types of plastic disposable tableware, including oxidative decomposable plastics and biodegradable plastics. The control plan should take the lead in comprehensively controlling disposable styrofoam tableware and prohibit local sales of disposable styrofoam tableware. The local end consumer.
The "Hong Kong Resource Recycling Blueprint 2035" announced earlier also stated that the authorities plan to consult the industry and stakeholders on the phased control of disposable plastic tableware. Depending on the opinions collected and subsequent legislative procedures, it is expected that the first phase of control will be effective. It will be implemented around 2025, and it will also explore the need to deal with other single-use plastics.
Review the implementation time of the next phase after the first phase is implemented for one year to one and a half years
In addition, the document also recommends that after the first phase is implemented for about 12 to 18 months, depending on the effectiveness of the first phase and the maturity of the future alternative product market, review and decide on the implementation time of the second phase; preliminary recommendations are also made Give a similar preparation period for the second phase.
As for the scope of exemption, the document refers to the provision of disposable plastic drinking straws for people with special needs in catering premises based on their medical needs or physical conditions. They should not be included in the proposed control plan; The implemented control plan will not include disposable plastic tableware attached to food pre-packaged outside catering premises.
Disposable plastic tableware to be brought into control.
(Screenshot of consultation document)
▼Two-stage disposable plastic tableware control recommendations▼
The first stage: comprehensive control of disposable styrofoam tableware
1. Fully control disposable styrofoam tableware, prohibit local sales of disposable styrofoam tableware, and prohibit catering premises from providing styrofoam tableware to dinning and takeaway customers;
2. Dine-in takes the lead to completely prohibit catering premises from providing disposable plastic tableware (including disposable styrofoam and non-styrofoam tableware) to customers;
3. Control the disposable plastic tableware that is small in size and difficult to recycle or has mature substitutes, including drinking straws, stirring rods, forks, knives, spoons, plates, etc., and prohibits catering premises from providing the above disposable plastic tableware to customers .
The second stage: take-out and dine-in are on par
Fully ban dine-in and take-out, and provide all kinds of disposable plastic tableware, including some disposable plastic tableware that is non-plastic substitutes, such as cups, lids, food containers, food container lids, etc.
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