Hong Kong has been battling Covid-19 for over a year now and, though the public have been encouraged to stay at home and prepare their own meals, many prefer the convenience of takeaways. Thanks to the social-distancing policy and restrictions on public gatherings, the city that never sleeps is taking the longest nap. Parties are strictly prohibited – yet domestic waste production is on the rise. It is high time for the government to revive the waste charging bill and further encourage the public to use reusables instead of disposables, especially in a pandemic that is already generating large amounts of medical waste such as disposable masks every day.
It is heartbreaking to see rubbish bins filled with styrofoam lunchboxes, plastic drinking straws, tissue paper and many more single-use items. Hong Kong has long placed convenience over eco-consciousness: this has to change. It is time for us to help conserve the environment by switching to reusable containers, and for restaurants to choose recycled paper or plant-based materials for takeaway boxes, instead of plastic.
Instead of polystyrene boxes and plastic utensils, takeaway customers can switch to reusable containers, which are not only eco-friendly but also excellent food containers. Restaurants selling takeaways should also consider replacing plastic utensils with those made from recycled paper or plant-based materials, which decompose easily in the landfill.
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Pandemic food delivery boom creating vast amounts of plastic waste in China
Pandemic food delivery boom creating vast amounts of plastic waste in China
The public must be responsible for creating less rubbish, especially in a pandemic that is already generating large amounts of medical waste such as disposable masks every day.
As the pandemic changes our shopping behaviour, we rely increasingly on online platforms, which send us our shopping in wasteful layers of plastic wrapping, tape and other packaging. All of this is ends up in our landfills. Yet it is not impossible to give up excessive packaging without sacrificing convenience.
The pandemic has put paid to many of our plans but when God closes a door, he opens a window. If we look closely enough, we can always find a silver lining, even in our darkest hour. It is time for us to reflect upon our lifestyles, make appropriate changes and get on with living.
