Hong Kong Implements Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Hotels and Restaurants

Hong Kong has taken a significant step towards reducing plastic waste by implementing a ban on single-use plastic products in hotels and restaurants. The ban, which took effect on Monday, prohibits hotels from providing guests with disposable plastic items such as toothbrushes, small-sized shampoo bottles, and disposable plastic water bottles free of charge. Restaurants are also banned from using disposable plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, and plates for dine-in and takeaway services starting on April 22.

In response to the new regulations, hotels have installed water dispensers or prepared glass water bottles for guests, and have replaced small-bottle bath products with large bottles. The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong in Sha Tin, for example, has saved around 6,000 plastic bottles of water per week after installing water dispensers, and has replaced all plastic packaging with paper and started to provide bamboo-handled toothbrushes and paper-stemmed cotton buds. The Mira Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui has also replaced plastic bottled water with glass bottles.

The cost of replacing plastic products will not be passed on to guests, and the plastic ban is expected to enhance the hotel sector's awareness of green tourism and help Hong Kong build a positive image. Dr. Samuel Chui, Director of Environmental Protection, visited branches of three large chain restaurant groups in Hong Kong to understand their preparations for the new legislation. The three restaurant groups, with over 1,000 branches, have either switched to non-plastic tableware or are ready to do so.

Some restaurants shared that recently, half of their customers chose to order takeaways without cutlery, as the public's environmental awareness is increasing. The restaurant groups will also implement various plastic-free measures, such as not providing disposable cutlery by default and offering reusable stainless steel cutlery sets. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has carried out preparations and deployment plans for implementing the regulation, and will focus on promotion, education, and providing advice to help the trade comply with the new requirements.

Why this matters: Hong Kong's ban on single-use plastics in hotels and restaurants is a major step towards reducing the city's plastic waste problem. The move not only helps protect the environment but also enhances Hong Kong's image as a green tourism destination.

The EPD suggests that businesses should deplete their stocks of regulated products and make preparations for suitable alternatives as soon as possible. The legislation aims to regulate disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products at the source, and is not targeted at the general public. "The public's environmental awareness is increasing," noted some restaurants, with half of their customers recently choosing to order takeaways without cutlery. The plastic ban is expected to further raise awareness and encourage more environmentally-friendly practices in Hong Kong's hotel and restaurant sectors.

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong bans single-use plastics in hotels and restaurants from April 2023.
• Hotels replace plastic water bottles, shampoos with dispensers and larger bottles.
• Restaurants switch to non-plastic tableware, offer reusable cutlery sets.
• Plastic ban aims to reduce waste, enhance Hong Kong's green tourism image.
• Public's environmental awareness is rising, with half opting for takeaways without cutlery.