Hong Kong's ambitious two-phase ban on single-use plastics, initiated in October 2023, faces significant implementation hurdles, primarily due to a critical shortage of viable and cost-effective alternative materials for the catering sector. Over a year into the first phase, which prohibits the sale and supply of items like plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery, restaurateurs report difficulties in sourcing suitable substitutes, prompting the government to reconsider its timeline for the second phase.

Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan recently indicated a delay in the full rollout, stating that the second phase will only proceed "when the alternative product technology is more mature." The government plans a trial campaign with selected restaurants within two months to test new products and provide feedback to suppliers, acknowledging the challenge of requiring consumers to use personal utensils for takeaways. This pragmatic approach reflects the complexities of transitioning an entire urban economy away from entrenched plastic reliance.

Despite legislative efforts, Hong Kong's plastic waste problem persists. In 2023, plastic constituted over 19% of the 3.97 million tonnes of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills, a modest 10.5% decrease from the previous year. While local plastic recycling saw a slight increase to 126,600 tonnes, this still represents only 6.5% of total plastic waste, highlighting a substantial gap in the city's circular economy efforts.

Complementing the ban, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) expanded its Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) pilot scheme for plastic beverage containers, offering a HK$0.10 rebate per container. As of last month, the scheme had collected 179 million containers, saving an estimated 6.7 million kilograms of carbon emissions. However, critics, including Robert Kelman, Director at Reloop Pacific, argue the HK$0.10 rebate is "virtually meaningless" to most consumers, being the lowest globally for such a program. Edwin Lau Che-feng, Executive Director of Green Earth, advocates for a Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) with higher deposit values, citing successful international examples like Slovakia (€0.15 deposit, 70% recovery in first year) and Germany (€0.08-€0.25 deposit, 98.4% return rate in 2022). Lau asserts that a robust DRS could significantly boost Hong Kong's recovery rates beyond current targets.

The urgency for effective solutions is underscored by the environmental impact of plastic. Plastics take centuries to decompose, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate ecosystems. Greenpeace East Asia reported that 97% of Hong Kong's riverine waste is plastic, with over 70% being food, logistics, and beverage packaging. Microplastics have been detected in countryside streams and even in the feces of wild mammals, posing risks to public health through accumulation in the food chain. Christelle Not, Senior Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong's Department of Earth Sciences, emphasizes that these findings demonstrate microplastic uptake even in areas far from human activity, highlighting the pervasive nature of the pollution. The long-term health implications of microplastic exposure, linked to chronic diseases, further amplify the need for a comprehensive and effective plastic reduction strategy.