Sky’s not the limit for Hong Kong’s plastics ban, with policy to cover city’s airlines and all outbound flights

First stage of ban takes effect on April 22 and prohibits use of styrofoam products and throwaway plastic utensils, as well as cups and containers for dine-in services

‘The government has not granted any exemptions. The practices applying to airlines and other businesses are the same,’ environmental authorities tell Post

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The coming ban will cover Hong Kong’s airlines, including Cathay Pacific. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:00pm, 12 Apr 2024Updated: 12:32pm, 14 Apr 2024

Hong Kong’s ban on throwaway plastics will cover meals served by local airlines and all other flights leaving the city once the policy comes into force later this month, environmental authorities have said.

The Environmental Protection Department said on Friday that meals offered by city flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways and its budget arm HK Express, as well as Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines, would fall under the policy’s dine-in restrictions.

The first stage of the ban will take effect on April 22 and prohibits styrofoam products and throwaway plastic utensils, including straws and swizzle sticks. Plastic cups and containers will no longer be available for customers eating at restaurants.

Kenneth Cheng Kin, an assistant director with the department, stressed its officers would not penalise businesses that breached the ban during a six-month grace period.

Authorities confirmed to the Post that the restrictions would also apply to flights operated by international airlines flying out of the city.

“The government has not granted any exemptions,” a department spokesman said. “The practices applying to airlines and other businesses are the same.