Published: 2:14pm, 1 Feb 2025Updated: 2:46pm, 1 Feb 2025
Six restaurants in Hong Kong have been fined HK$2,000 (US$257) each for repeatedly failing to comply with the single-use plastics ban since authorities started enforcing the new law in November, according to the city’s environment chief.
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Under phase one of the ban, which officially took effect on April 22, retailers and restaurants can no longer sell or use polystyrene tableware or plastic cutlery for takeaway and dine-in services.
But authorities only started enforcement in November, after a six-month grace period.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Saturday told local media that authorities had received 75 complaints from the public since November, of which 59 cases received warnings.
He added that six restaurants were eventually fined HK$2,000 each for offering single-use cutlery.
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Authorities earlier said that phase two of the ban could start as early as 2025, depending on the availability and affordability of non-plastic or reusable alternatives.
Phase two will ban the use of all throwaway plastics in restaurants, plastic food containers, six-pack yokes for canned drinks, tablecloths, disposable gloves and plastic-stemmed dental floss.