Group calls for borrow-and-return scheme for tableware
A green group on Tuesday called on the government to do more to encourage the adoption of reusable tableware by implementing a territory-wide borrow-and-return system, after a ban on the sale and use of some disposal plastic tableware comes into effect in April next year.  Greenpeace said many eateries are expected to resort to giving out tableware made out of recycled materials, such as paper and wood, after the ban takes effect.  However, it warned that the production process for these disposable items will still hurt the environment, and should be discouraged.  “For disposable cups, much water is used in the production stage, so that’s why we advise people to choose reused ones rather than disposables,” Greenpeace campaigner Leanne Tam said.   In the longer run, Tam said eateries should give out reusable tableware, and the government should put in place a system to facilitate the collection, cleaning and redistribution of these items across the city.  The group noted that if six major chain restaurants in Hong Kong, including McDonald’s and Starbucks, adopted a reuse system, it could save over 220 million disposable cups each year.