Macau bans styrofoam boxes from January

Macau will prohibit imports and trading of disposable takeaway boxes, bowls, cups and dishes made out of styrofoam from January 1, a gazette notice said.

Styrofoam or polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomers that can take around 500 years to decompose on landfills.

According to the 2019 report on local environmental conditions, the amount of solid waste generated per capita in Macau increased to 2.24 kilogram per person, higher than most neighbouring cities, with 23.5 per cent of all solid waste collected comprising of plastics, Macau Business reports. In 2019 local authorities also enforced a law mandating that plastic carrier bags.