Plastics ban to include hotel toiletries, party supplies

Single-use plastic utensils, straws, stirring sticks and lids, as well as umbrella bags, cotton swabs and free plastic toiletries in hotels may be banned by the end of the year as authorities strive to cut plastic disposal at source, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said.

Those violating the ban face a fine of up to HK$100,000 while authorities also proposed a fixed penalty of HK$2,000.

Tse was speaking at the first reading of the 2023 Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Bill at the Legislative Council yesterday.

The bill will also ban the manufacture, sale or distribution of biodegradable plastic products.

The ban on disposable plastic tableware will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase banning local sale and provision at eateries of all foam tableware, plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates.

Plastic cups and cup lids, food containers and covers will be added to the list in the second phase.

Party materials, including balloons, glow sticks, as well as disposable toiletries and free in-room plastic bottled water in hotels and guest rooms will also be banned in the first phase.

The first phase of the regulation will start six months after the bill is passed.

"There are non-plastic alternatives for these disposable utensils in the market and most of the plastic products under the regulation are not daily necessities," Tse said.

The timing of the second phase of regulation will depend on the availability and affordability of the non-plastic or reusable alternatives.

Exempted are plastic products being used in forensic examinations, medical procedures and scientific experiments.

The bill will also expand to cover the producer responsibility scheme on waste electrical and electronic equipment and glass beverage containers by 2024.

Meanwhile, acting secretary for health Libby Lee Ha-yun said during the first reading of the 2023 Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill that cigarette duties will increase 30 percent to 60 cents per stick - meaning the price for a pack of 20 cigarettes will be at least HK$74.

The proposal was first mentioned in the Budget last month, so the price for a pack of 20 cigarettes will go up from the current HK$62 to at least HK$74.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com