Roll out of single-use plastics ban ‘smooth and steady’, says John Lee

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the city’s single-use plastics ban is going smoothly and steadily, with citizens gradually adapting to the change.

He noted that some 60 to 70 percent of dine-in patrons chose not to use single-use plastic utensils while more people were purchasing reusable alternatives, a signal that people were changing their daily habits.

Speaking ahead of his weekly Executive Council meeting this morning, the Hong Kong leader said he hoped the new measures would not have a significant impact on citizens.

He admitted there is inevitably room for improvement in the process and he understood that the public wanted the rules to be made clearer.

He said officials of the Environmental Protection Department had already made statements to clarify details of the single-use plastics ban and would continue to do so.

Meanwhile, commenting on the city’s upcoming waste-charging scheme, Lee said the measure had been written into law and, hence, should be treated seriously.

He said authorities were collecting data through trials and conducting thorough research, with results to be announced once a decision is made.

As for the government-authorized trash bags, Lee said the manufacturers had ceased production of the bags as there was sufficient supply for usage.