Authorities urged to clarify plastic ban

The administration should make an effort to provide clear guidelines to restaurants regarding the second phase of the single-use plastic ban, which prohibits the use of plastic packaging for food prepared on the same premises, said Simon Wong Kit-lung, a catering industry expert.

Since last Monday, local restaurants have been prohibited from offering plastic tableware to dine-in customers, although plastic containers were allowed for takeaways.

Wong expressed concern over the conflicting definitions of "takeaway."

For example,"if customers drink coffee in the coffee shop or in the nearby area, we are required to provide non-plastic containers, such as China cups," he said.

"If customers request their food be taken out, it should be considered a takeaway. Restaurants cannot control where customers choose to consume their food after ordering a takeaway."

The situation becomes even more complicated for establishments that only hold a Food Factory License issued by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, as they are exclusively permitted to operate as takeaway businesses.

Consequently, even if customers consume the food on-site, it is still classified as "takeaway" under the Food Business Regulation.

However, the plastic ban, enforced under the Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Ordinance, stipulates that food consumed in "the area adjacent to the primary catering premises" is also considered dine-in, thus requiring restaurants to refrain from providing plastic food containers.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com