Latest news with #EnvironmentandEcologyBureau
HKFP
22-04-2025
- Business
- HKFP
21 restaurants fined for breaching Hong Kong disposable plastic regulation one year after ban
Hong Kong authorities have fined 21 restaurants for breaching the city's disposable plastic ban in the year since the policy came into effect. Under the first phase of the citywide plastic ban, which began in April last year, restaurants are prohibited from using styrofoam tableware, as well as most single-use plastic items such as utensils, stirrers, and plates. They had a six-month 'adaptation period,' which ended in October. Plastic cups and food containers are currently still allowed to be sold and used for takeaway but cannot be distributed for dine-in purposes. In a Facebook post published on Monday – a day before Earth Day – the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said that it had received 122 reports of restaurants suspected of violating the ban between October, when the adaptation period ended, and mid-April. Most of the eateries complied after follow-up by the authorities, and only 21 restaurants were fined for still breaching the rule despite receiving a written warning, the bureau said. A business will be fined HK$2,000 if it fails to comply within 10 days after receiving a warning for violating the plastic ban. However, the EEB also highlighted some improvements. 'Relative to the over 26,000 eateries in Hong Kong, we can see that the sector has mostly gotten used to the new laws,' it wrote in the Chinese-language post. It added that an increasing number of customers have been getting into the habit of bringing their own reusable cutlery and that restaurants have also been using alternatives to plastic. 'The restaurant chains say that more than 80 percent of their customers no longer ask for takeaway cutlery, thereby preventing over 60 million sets of disposable cutlery from being dumped into landfills in Hong Kong,' the bureau also said. 'Low-carbon city' Under the second phase, the ban will be extended to more types of tableware including plastic cups, cup lids, food containers and food container covers, which are currently only banned for dine-in services but still allowed for takeaway customers. No timeline has yet been announced for the second phase and the Facebook post also did not mention when the new rules would kick in. But the bureau said it was preparing to collaborate with 'large-scale restaurant groups' to conduct tests in the middle of the year for plastic alternatives to identify substitutes that would 'affect citizens' lives the least.' The bureau hopes to promote a plastic-free culture and turn Hong Kong into a 'green, low-carbon city,' it added. According to Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050, which was released in 2021, the city aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent from the 2005 levels before 2035, and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. Green groups, however, have criticised the plan, saying it does not have a mechanism for reporting the progress of meeting the objectives. The government should establish regular reporting and clear reduction targets for different sectors, they said.
The Standard
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Standard
21 eateries slapped with $2,000 fine as HK marks one year of plastic ban
Twenty-one restaurants were fined for repeatedly failing to comply with the single-use plastic ban as Hong Kong marks one year since enforcing the law on Tuesday, the Environment and Ecology Bureau said. In a Facebook post, authorities said that following a six-month grace period of the plastic ban legislation expired, they received 122 relevant reports or complaints as of mid-April, and most of them have rectified their approach after a follow-up. Only 21 eateries were slapped with a fixed penalty ticket of HK$2,000 due to persistent violations despite receiving a written warning, the post read. The bureau also listed its efforts to aid the transition, including inspection of 48,000 food establishments, retail stores, and hotels, organizing training seminars and setting up hotlines to support businesses through the plastic ban. 'Restaurant chains reported that over 80 percent of customers no longer require disposable takeaway utensils, potentially preventing over 60 million sets of plastic utensils from being dumped into landfills annually,' the bureau wrote. To advance the next phase of the plastic ban, authorities plan to collaborate with major restaurant groups in mid-2025 to conduct product tests in various dining environments to identify the most viable green alternatives for single-use plastic utensils. 'While reducing plastic usage is essential for protecting health and the environment, authorities must balance it with the affordability, availability, and practicality of alternatives." The legislation to curb single-use plastic waste first came into effect on April 22, 2024– exactly a year ago – with a six-month adaptation period. The first phase prohibits the sale and distribution of some single-use plastics such as straws and cutlery, as well as styrofoam food containers. The second phase is expected to extend the ban to include plastic cups, food containers for takeout. The government has yet to set an implementation date for the second phase, and was gathering views from industry stakeholders on the matter, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said in a written reply to lawmakers last week. (Jamie Liu)
South China Morning Post
10-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Doubts raised over introduction of plastic recycling scheme in Hong Kong
Government advisers have expressed doubts over the introduction of a citywide recycling scheme for plastic bottles and drink cartons, citing a lack of incentive as a major issue. Advertisement The government-appointed Advisory Council on the Environment supported the plan on Monday, but some members proposed a shorter timeline for achieving goals and an increase to the proposed rebate of 10 HK cents each on each item. The Environment and Ecology Bureau revealed last month they would require drink suppliers to either arrange self-recovery or engage registered operators to meet the government's recycling targets of drink bottles with volumes of 100ml to two litres. According to the paper submitted to the Legislative Council, all designated return points will be required to provide a rebate of no less than HK$0.1. The government will introduce the amendments to the relevant ordinances in the second quarter of this year, with implementation expected to follow several years later. Advertisement It aims to recover 75 per cent of plastic bottles and half of the drink cartons six to eight years after its implementation. 'Six to eight years is a very lengthy time,' council member Yau Man-hung said.
South China Morning Post
01-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Strong incentives and convenience can spell success for recycling in Hong Kong
Criticism is already swirling around Hong Kong's latest plan to tackle waste problems, which are rapidly outpacing landfill space. Advertisement The citywide recycling scheme for plastic beverage containers and drink cartons is worth pursuing, but authorities must heed warnings that rebate and implementation proposals may miss the mark. The Environment and Ecology Bureau wants drink suppliers to arrange self-recovery or engage registered operators to meet government recycling targets for containers with volumes of 100ml to two litres. To encourage the public to recycle, designated return points would be set up to offer rebates of not less than 10 HK cents (1.3 US cents) for each plastic container or carton. In a paper submitted to lawmakers last month, the bureau said large retail stores needed to set up collection spots and the government would establish facilities at suitable venues. Officials want to see the city recover 75 per cent of plastic beverage containers and half of all drink cartons six to eight years after implementation. Advertisement The aim is to establish a common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes, at first covering plastic drink containers and beverage cartons, and later electric vehicle batteries, vehicle tyres and lead-acid batteries. Many jurisdictions around the world have implemented rules requiring stakeholders to share the burden for the collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of end-of-life products.
South China Morning Post
19-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong plan for recycling beverage containers draws criticism
Hong Kong's plan to introduce a citywide recycling scheme for plastic beverage containers and drink cartons with a minimum rebate of 10 HK cents (1.3 US cents) each has drawn criticism from environmentalists and the public over its unclear implementation timeline and inadequate financial incentives. The scheme the Environment and Ecology Bureau revealed on Tuesday requires drink suppliers to either arrange self-recovery or engage registered operators to meet government recycling targets of beverage containers with volumes of 100ml (33.8 fluid ounces) to two litres. 'To encourage the public in returning containers for recycling, we preliminarily propose that all designated return points are required to provide a rebate of not less than $0.1 for each plastic beverage container and beverage carton,' the bureau said in a paper submitted to the Legislative Council. Large retail stores must establish return points, while the government plans to set up collection facilities at suitable venues. The government intends to introduce the amendments to the relevant ordinances in the second quarter of this year, with implementation expected to follow several years later. It aims to recover 75 per cent of plastic beverage containers and half of drink cartons six to eight years after the implementation. The amendments aim to establish a common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes, covering plastic drink containers and beverage cartons in the first stage, and then electric vehicle batteries, vehicle tyres and lead-acid batteries later.
