Brewing danger: 80% of Hongkongers unaware of microplastics in tea and coffee
Green group points to studies indicating single plastic tea bag can release up to 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles after being steeped in hot water
About 80 per cent of Hongkongers are unaware of the risk of ingesting microplastics when drinking tea and coffee, according to a survey by a green group that urged the government to follow Germany’s example and include a warning about it on food labels.
Steven Choi Chun-pang, chief operating officer of the Green Council, said 70 per cent of respondents did not know how to identify products containing microplastics and only 20 per cent actively looked for them.
There is no legislation in Hong Kong that regulates microplastic labelling.
“Germany rolled out a microplastic-free label not long ago, which covers products from food, personal hygiene and make-up to cleaning products,” Choi said.
“I believe that having such labels will become a trend in many other countries as consumers become aware of microplastics and their harm.”
This call for action comes after the government’s decision to delay the second phase of its “plastic-free” policy, which was originally planned for 2025. The first stage, implemented in April 2024, banned single-use utensils, straws and styrofoam containers.