📋 Tender Overview
Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology Mr Tse Chinwan in the Legislative Council today October 7
Question
Studies have pointed out that per and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS are a class of highly persistent synthetic chemicals which are difficult to decompose and chronic exposure may increase health risks such as cancer and endocrine disruption Other studies have found that PFAS are widely present in nonplastic tableware alternatives alternatives such as paper straws leading to PFAS intake by users through such alternatives In this connection will the Government inform this Council
1 as it is learnt that paper straws are widely used in local eateries at present whether the Centre for Food Safety or relevant departments have since the implementation of the first phase regulation on disposable plastic products on April 22 2024 conducted sample tests and safety risk assessments on paper and bamboo disposable straws and tableware supplied in Hong Kong for harmful chemical substances particularly PFAS whether the authorities have assessed the chemical leaching rates and potential health risks of paper tableware soaked in acidic and hightemperature environments for prolonged periods if so of the detailed assessment outcome if not the reasons for that
2 as there are views that the Mainland Europe and the United States have begun to tighten or prohibit the use of fluorinecontaining greaseproofing agents in food packaging while the Green Tableware Platform currently set up by the Environmental Protection Department does not mandatorily require suppliers to submit testing reports on PFAS which may pose food safety risks in the alternatives whether the authorities have proactively conducted random sample tests on alternatives available on the market to assess the potential risks of PFAS exposure by Hong Kong citizens through takeaway meals of the measures to be taken by the authorities in the future to support the catering industry in procuring safer green tableware and
3 given that Hong Kong currently includes biodegradable plastics under regulation and it is learnt that the Mainland has widely used biodegradable plastics that can decompose in the natural environment eg PHA in disposable tableware including straws whether the authorities will keep abreast of the times to review and adjust the current regulation on the use of biodegradable plastics so as to protect public health while taking into account environmental benefits and life experience
Reply
President
The core reason for regulating disposable plastic tableware lies in the profound harm that plastic waste causes to the environment and human health as well as the imminent need for waste reduction at source Plastic is difficult to decompose and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years When plastic waste breaks down it forms microplastics If these microplastics enter the ocean they can be ingested by marine organisms and enter the food chain posing a threat to human and animal health Therefore reducing the use of disposable plastic products has become an international consensus
Regulating disposable plastic tableware is a key component of the Governments plasticfree strategy aiming to reduce its use at source through legislation The Environmental Protection Department has clearly stated that nonplastic tableware should only be used when unavoidable with the goal of encouraging the public to bring their own reusable tableware
Since the regulation took effect on April 22 2024 some chain restaurants reported that over 80 per cent of customers do not require cutlery when ordering takeaway It is estimated that this can reduce the disposal of more than 60 million sets of disposable cutlery in landfills every year
In response to the question raised by the Hon Steven Ho the reply is as follows
1 and 2 Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS are a group of chemically stable synthetic substances Due to their waterresistant oilresistant and lowfriction properties they are widely used as surface coatings for various products such as clothes protective films for paper food packaging materials cooking utensils and various plastic products
An overseas university research team previously conducted an analysis of PFAS level in straws made from different materials The study found that PFAS was detected in paper bamboo plastic and glass straws available on the market However data from the study report showed that under normal conditions of use the total amount of chemicals released by these utensils is extremely low far below the threshold for health risks and poses no threat to public health
The Green Tableware Platform the Platform provides the catering industry with information on alternatives that meet the requirements for nonplastic materials assisting the industry in transiting to more environmentallyfriendly nonplastic tableware as soon as possible Under the Platforms current mechanism suppliers are required to submit material testing reports or certificates issued by accredited laboratories or inspection bodies for their registered products to prove that the products comply with nonplastic material requirements Since 2024 the Platform Secretariat ie Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency has proactively invited suppliers to provide additional proof regarding their products performance and quality including PFAS
3 The current policy of regulating disposable plastic tableware in Hong Kong aims to reduce waste at source and prevent plastic waste from entering the natural environment and marine ecosystem Although some biodegradable plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoate PHA can degrade under specific conditions or in natural environments there is currently insufficient evidence to show that these plastic products can fully degrade under the actual anaerobic conditions of landfills Even if
