Dine-in 'another option' to reduce plastic waste

Four Japanese food chains in Hong Kong - barbecue restaurants Gyu-Kaku and Gyu-Kaku Buffet, and hotpot chains Mou Mou Club and On-Yasai - have decided to temporarily pause their takeaway services and instead focus on serving dine-in customers.

This came in response to the recently implemented ban on single-use plastics.

Simon Wong Kit-lung, the chief executive of LH Group - operator of the chains - announced: "The aim of halting takeaway services is to completely eliminate the use of single-use plastics and avoid any inconvenience caused."

He added the chain's takeaway business was not a significant portion of their operations.

"I'm not against the ban on single-use plastics or engaging in any form of resistance," he said. "I'm trying to inform the public that there are various ways to reduce the use of disposable plastic products. For instance, customers could choose to dine at the restaurants or bring their own reusable utensils when ordering takeaway food."

The new law prohibits restaurants from providing single-use plastic tableware such as straws and cutlery, as well as Styrofoam containers.

Many establishments have switched to eco-friendly alternatives and now charge customers HK$1 or HK$2 for a set of disposables.

However, Wong expressed concerns about the environmental impact of charging for disposable utensils, even though it is legally permissible.

"The ban should not be seen as a major inconvenience since dining-in is a simple and viable alternative."

Japanese supermarket chain Don Don Donki also started using paper boxes and lids to package some of its food such as sushi and rice yesterday, and many complained that they could not see the contents inside.

A customer, Chan, said he preferred the previous transparent plastic package and would not buy food packaged with paper as he cannot tell the quality of the food inside.

But another customer said the arrangement was acceptable as she trusted the supermarket.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed a positive attitude toward the ban, saying it is a collective responsibility to protect the environment.

Lee said the ban would not significantly disrupt people's daily lives, given the availability and affordability of alternative options.

"Many restaurants and hotels have developed comprehensive plans to comply with the ban, and the Environmental Protection Department provides a platform offering over 700 alternatives to single-use plastic items," he explained.

Lee believed progress would be made over time amid complaints over user experience with paper and wood cutlery.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com