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Harvey Kong

Hong Kong’s environment minister has cautioned against using mandatory measures to advance green policies given challenges the city faces arising from geopolitical tensions and economic transition, as he unveiled plans for the next phase of the ban on single-use plastics.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said on Saturday the government would carry out a trial run with the catering sector in the middle of this year to select suitable replacements before proceeding to the second phase.
Phase two will ban the use of all throwaway plastics in restaurants, plastic food containers, six-pack yokes for canned drinks, plastic tablecloths, disposable gloves and plastic-stemmed dental floss.
“Due to geopolitics and the transition of the economy, you can see some sectors have really been affected. This is the reality,” Tse said. “If you use mandatory measures to push environmental policies, some sectors, enterprises or companies, which have been facing difficulties, could close down because of the moves.”
Tse said opting for voluntary measures would make it easier to implement environmental policies during periods of uncertainty, as people could contribute to the extent their situation permitted.
Hong Kong has seen a string of business closures recently, with city leader John Lee Ka-chiu urging companies to reform amid what he called a “transitional period”.
The city has also felt the effects of US-China tensions and the tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump.
Hong Kong began enforcing the first stage of the single-use plastics ban in November last year after a six-month grace period, barring retailers and restaurants from selling or using polystyrene tableware or plastic cutlery for takeaway and dine-in services.


Authorities earlier said phase two could start as soon as this year, depending on the availability and affordability of non-plastic or reusable alternatives.
Tse said the government would work with restaurants to identify suitable replacements for plastic containers before launching the next phase of the ban.
The minister said this approach would speed up the process of finding alternative products that would also be accepted by the restaurant sector and residents.
During the first phase of the ban, some consumers complained about the alternatives being supplied, such as paper straws that quickly became soggy or wooden spoons that were too flat for soup.
Tse said he hoped different types of eateries would take part in the trial, regardless of the size of their operation or the cuisine being served.
“As we are still keeping in touch with the food and beverage sector over the issue,” he said. “We have not settled on the actual number of participants.”
Tse stopped short of disclosing how long the trial would last or when the government intended to launch the second stage.
Edwin Lau Che-feng, the founder and executive director of The Green Earth, said he agreed the government should not use mandatory measures to push environmental policies, but authorities needed to step up efforts to explain them to the public.
“Right now, their promotion and explanation work is really weak, it is not enough,” he said. “Once you strengthen that and everyone has a better understanding of the policies, everyone would lend you their support.”


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Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong environment chief says voluntary green measures better given economy

Hong Kong began enforcing the first stage of the single-use plastics ban in November last year after a six-month grace period. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong’s single-use plastics ban begins with little disruption at restaurant chains

An educational sign about the ban at a catering business in Kowloon Bay. Photo: Eugene Lee

Alternative cutlery bought by a customer as the ban comes into force. Photo: May Tse

A takeaway food stall in Wan Chai offers plastic cutlery amid a six-month grace period. Photo: Elson Li

6 Hong Kong restaurants slapped with fines for flouting single-use plastics ban

City leader John Lee has said that the plastics ban is intended to encourage residents to change their behaviour as opposed to punishing businesses. Photo: SCMP

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan has said that authorities received 75 complaints from the public since November. Photo: Eugene Lee

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Environment minister Tse Chin-wan warns that mandatory measures could force more businesses to close as he unveils plans for phase two of plastics ban


Environment minister Tse Chin-wan warns that mandatory measures could force more businesses to close as he unveils plans for phase two of plastics ban.


Hong Kong’s single-use plastics ban

Hong Kong environment chief says voluntary green measures better given economy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Environment minister Tse Chin-wan warns that mandatory measures could force more businesses to close as he unveils plans for phase two of plastics ban

Environment minister Tse Chin-wan warns that mandatory measures could force more businesses to close as he unveils plans for phase two of plastics ban