A publicity campaign to encourage the public to go plastic-and-disposable-free when ordering takeaway food was launched today.

Held by the Environmental Protection Department and the Environmental Campaign Committee, the third Plastic-Free Takeaway, Use Reusable Tableware campaign, which lasts for more than five months, aims to enable the food and beverage (F&B) industry and the public to get prepared for when the first-phase regulation of disposable plastic tableware will be implemented next year.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan pointed out that next year will be an important milestone in Hong Kong's road to becoming plastic-free.

He noted that the Legislative Council just passed the bill on the regulation of disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products last month, and the Government will commence the first phase of the regulation on April 22 after six months of preparation.

Mr Tse said: “Replacing disposable plastic tableware with disposable ones made of other materials, (eg paper, soft wood and plant fibres) is not the best solution.

“To reduce waste at source more effectively, we should actively use reusable products. I hope that this campaign can attract more citizens to participate in it and integrate the culture of going plastic-and-disposable-free takeaway into their daily lives, making it a part of their habits.”

Starting from tomorrow to April 30 next year, customers can collect stamps and redeem rewards through the new Plastic-Free Rewards mobile application for each disposable-free takeaway order at more than 750 participating eateries under the campaign.

One stamp will be collected for each order in which customers go without obtaining a set of disposable cutlery. If the participating eatery also joins the department's Bring Your Own Containers Eateries Scheme, two stamps will be collected for those who go without obtaining a disposable container.

Upon collecting the designated number of stamps, customers can redeem rewards, such as drinks, snacks and discount coupons, from particular eateries or convert the stamps to GREEN$ points or GREEN$ e-coupons through the Plastic-Free Rewards mobile application for redeeming a set of reusable tableware or other daily necessities at Recycling Stations or Recycling Stores of the GREEN@COMMUNITY network.

The first two campaigns were held in 2018 and 2019, and received widespread support from the F&B industry and the public, saving about 2.4 million sets of disposable cutlery.

The third campaign is organised by the Environmental Protection Department and the Environmental Campaign Committee, co-organised by the GREEN@COMMUNITY network, and sponsored by the Environment & Conservation Fund.

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