Hong Kong’s Waste Problem: Experts Urge Action To Reduce City’s Reliance on Landfills

Hong Kong is known for its vibrant and fast-paced lifestyle, but also for its massive consumption of disposable plastic products.

From coffee cups to food containers, the city generates more than 2,300 tonnes of plastic waste every day.

However, this is about to change as the government has passed a bill to ban the sale and use of various plastic items in phases starting from next year.

The plastic ban and its impact

(Photo : SU XINQI/AFP via Getty Images)

The Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Bill 2023 aims to regulate disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products that are harmful to the environment and human health.

The bill prohibits the local sale of nine types of disposable plastic tableware, such as straws, cutlery, plates, cups, and food containers, and also bans catering premises from providing customers with such products.

The implementation will be carried out in two phases: the first phase will take effect on April 22, 2024, which coincides with Earth Day, while the second phase is tentatively set for 2025.

The bill also regulates the manufacture, sale and distribution of a series of disposable plastic products, such as cotton buds, balloon sticks, glow sticks, party hats, oxo-degradable plastic products, umbrella bags, food sticks and plastic toothpicks.

In addition, hotels and guesthouses will not be allowed to provide disposable toiletries and in-room plastic-bottled water for free, while distributing non-medical use transparent gloves and plastic-packaged tissue paper for promotional use will also be prohibited.

The government expects that the plastic ban will reduce the burden on landfills by about 55,000 tonnes and save about HK$200 million in waste disposal costs annually.

It also hopes that the ban will encourage the public and the trade to adopt more eco-friendly alternatives and habits, such as using reusable or biodegradable tableware, bringing their own containers and mugs, and avoiding unnecessary packaging.

Also Read: The Amount of Plastic Waste on Earth Is Enough to Wrap the Whole Planet

The challenges and opportunities of going green

While the plastic ban has been welcomed by environmental groups and some legislators, it also poses some challenges and opportunities for the affected industries and consumers.

Some businesses, such as restaurants, hotels, airlines, and plastic manufacturers, may face higher costs and operational difficulties in switching to non-plastic or reusable products.

They may also need to invest in new equipment, training, and marketing to cope with the changes.

However, some businesses also see the plastic ban as an opportunity to innovate and differentiate themselves from their competitors.

For example, some coffee shops have partnered with a start-up company that provides reusable thermal mugs with QR codes that can be returned to designated locations for cleaning and reuse.

Customers who use these mugs can enjoy discounts and rewards, while the coffee shops can save on disposable cups and lids.

Some hotels and airlines have also replaced plastic bottles with glass bottles or water dispensers, and plastic amenities with bamboo or paper products.

Consumers, on the other hand, may need to adjust their habits and preferences, as well as pay more for some products and services that use non-plastic or reusable materials. However, they may also benefit from the plastic ban in terms of health, hygiene, and aesthetics.

For instance, some studies have shown that plastic products can leach harmful chemicals into food and drinks, especially when heated or exposed to sunlight.

Moreover, plastic waste can pollute the environment and pose a threat to wildlife and human health.

By reducing the use of plastic products, consumers can also enjoy a cleaner and greener cityscape and natural scenery.

The way forward for a sustainable future

The plastic ban is a significant step for Hong Kong to tackle its plastic problem and move towards a more sustainable future.

However, it is not enough to rely on the government's regulation alone. It also requires the collaboration and participation of the public and the private sector, as well as the education and awareness of the society.

As the Environment and Ecology Bureau stated, "The ultimate goal is to foster a culture of 'use less, waste less' and 'use wisely, recycle more' in Hong Kong."

Related article: Plastic Recycling Fails as Only a Mere 5% of Plastics from the US was Recycled