Hong Kong’s ban on single-use plastics not intended to punish businesses, John Lee says
Ban focuses on encouraging behaviour changes in society, chief executive says
Hong Kong’s ban on single-use plastic cutlery is intended to encourage residents to change their behaviour rather than punish businesses, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu has said.
Eight restaurants visited by the Post on Tuesday were all found to be complying with the ban. Authorities are expected to start taking enforcement actions against retailers, food outlets and hotels selling and offering plastic items after a six-month grace period ended on Monday.
“So my policy is [that] while we need to have punishment … I [want] this behaviour change as one that will be taken [on board] by the majority of the people. So, it’s not [heavily] punitive,” the chief executive said.
He added that the six-month grace period, which ended on Monday, had gone smoothly as the catering and hotel sectors had achieved good results in saving disposable cutlery.
Noting that a plastic-free culture would take time to build, Lee said the government was going to give businesses “a reasonable period” of 10 days to correct their behaviour or else receive a penalty.
Under the ban, which officially took effect on April 22, retailers and restaurants can no longer sell or use polystyrene tableware or plastic cutlery for takeaway and dine-in services.
