There is growing recognition that the plastic epidemic facing our planet is materially impacted by single-use plastics, such as straws, stirrers, cotton buds and balloon sticks.

The European Union and other countries are now starting to initiate legislation to ban them. In proposing new EU-wide rules aimed at reducing plastic pollution, the European Commission on Monday highlighted how “plastic waste ends up in our air, our soil, our oceans, and in our food”.

In Hong Kong, our government has a great opportunity to show leadership in environmental awareness in Asia and follow suit – banning their use here.