'Plastics ban for restaurants, retailers too rushed'
The Hong Kong Retail Management Association said on Wednesday that retailers and restaurants will need more time to prepare for an upcoming ban on single-use plastic tableware and food containers. The government originally planned to prohibit such businesses from using plastic straws, cutlery, plates, cups and other items from 2025, but recently brought this forward to the final quarter of this year under the first phase of the ban. In a position paper submitted to the authorities, the association said although it supports the initiative, the earlier implementation date is a “rush” and places a logistical burden on retailers. The association said that without government help, it will take businesses at least three quarters to source alternative items. “We believe the retailers should be given logistically reasonable buffer time (a minimum of three quarters from the implementation of the regulations),” it said.  The association also said there are no readily available alternatives for some of the items to be banned, including packaging used for liquids and hot food, sushi boxes and disposable plastic gloves. In response, the Environmental Protection Department said there are currently alternatives for single-use products such as disposable plastic gloves and plastic floss picks.  The department said it'll continue to collect opinion and monitor the market when deciding when to implement the second phase of the ban.