Hong Kong restaurants grapple with impending ban on plastic, with some saying it costs too much to go green
- Some restaurants say they are struggling with new rules, but authorities believe most will have no trouble adapting
- Styrofoam products, disposable plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates will be banned from April 22
Hong Kong’s catering trade has said it is struggling to adjust ahead of a ban on single-use plastics, with many restaurants worried they will have to pass higher costs to their customers, which could drive away business.
Many agreed the ban was necessary but said the increase in cost, difficulties finding suitable alternatives, unclear guidelines and a desire to use up their stocks of plastic utensils were proving hard to cope with.
Hong Kong will introduce its ban on single-use plastics from April 22.
Restaurants will be banned from offering customers styrofoam products and disposable plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery or plates for dine-in and takeaway services in the first phase.
They will also not be allowed to provide single-use cups, cup lids or food containers to dine-in customers. Those products will also be barred for takeaway services in the second phase sometime next year.