By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-22 05:08:15 | Updated at 2024-10-22 07:23:17
2 hours ago
The ban on single-use plastic cutlery is intended to encourage a behaviour change among Hongkongers rather than punish businesses, the city leader has said.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu made his remarks on Tuesday, with authorities set to begin taking enforcement action against retailers, eateries and hoteliers selling and offering plastic items after the end of a six-month grace period.
“So my policy is [that] while we need to have punishment … I want this behavioural change as one that will be taken [on board] by the majority of the people. So, it’s not punitively heavy,” Lee said.
He added the grace period went smoothly as the catering and hotel sectors had achieved good results in saving disposable plastic products.
Noting that the plastic-free culture would take time to build, Lee said the government was going to give businesses “a reasonable period” to correct their behaviours in 10 days or else face penalty.
The ban, which officially took effect on April 22, had a six-month grace period that ended on Monday.
