The problem of plastic waste has long been a public concern in Hong Kong. According to the Waste Statistics for 2016 published by the Environmental Protection Department, the average daily quantity of plastics disposed of at landfill was 2,132 tons per day, which includes plastic bottles, bags and dining wares. The plastic waste problem does not only exacerbate the burden of Hong Kong’s existing landfills, but also causes harm to the marine environment. In order to help alleviate the problem, the government and different NGOs have launched campaigns to urge major food chains and restaurants to reduce the use of plastic items, and it seems to be getting positive outcomes.
One of Hong Kong’s most popular fast-food chains, KFC, has announced that starting from today (23 August 2018), they will stop giving plastic straws and lids to dine-in customers unless special requests are made, while those for takeaway meals and special drinks will still be provided. This new policy would apply to all food outlets of KFC in both Hong Kong and Macau, showing the company’s willingness in contributing to plastic waste problem.
Another company supporting Hong Kong’s plastic-free campaign is the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort which has also made an announcement regarding the provision of straws as they are going to stop handing out plastic straws in all resort restaurants starting from August 2018 and change to provide paper straws at customer’s request in September 2018.
There are some more popular restaurants and corporations which are willing to support the plastic-free campaign in Hong Kong, including the Peninsula Hotels, Pacific Coffee, and the canteens in the Hong Kong Baptist University. Some of them are even going to replace plastic straws with paper or stainless steel straws.
Although some may say that companies and restaurants are not making enough effort in alleviating the plastic waste problem by cutting down only plastic straws which are just a minor part in a set of dining wares, it is still promising to see that business enterprises are taking a leap forward and making contribution to reduce plastic waste in Hong Kong.
Photo source: https://www.dw.com/en/un-resolves-to-end-ocean-plastic-waste/a-41690999
