The first phase of the regulation on disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products, known as "Plastic-Free" officially came into effect on April 22. The second phase will ban the provision of plastic cups and lids, food containers and lids to dine-in and take-away customers at the same time, which the government has indicated that it is tentatively scheduled to be implemented this year, without setting a rigid timetable.
In a media interview, the Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan said that since the implementation of the first phase of the plastic disposal control, a total of 75 complaints have been received, 59 warnings have been issued, and six restaurants have been fined, and that the authorities have to ensure that there are suitable alternatives before implementing the second phase of the "Plastic-Free".
Tse also said that when the government's finances are tight, it can't increase resources indefinitely to promote recycling, and will start setting up recycling points in government facilities, including vacant stalls in markets, and will use more intelligent recycling machines to reduce the need for manpower.
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