The Macau government announced yesterday that the import of non-biodegradable single-use plastic knives, forks and spoons will be completely banned from the beginning of next year.
The announcement was made through an executive order by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng published in the Official Gazette (BO) yesterday. The order, which was signed by Ho on Wednesday last week, will take effect on January 1, 2023.
The Macau government has banned the import of disposable Styrofoam meal boxes, bowls, cups and plates since January 1 last year, while the import into Macau of non-biodegradable single-use plastic drinking straws and drink stirrers has been banned since January 1 this year.
The Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) underlined in a follow-up statement yesterday that the Macau government has been gradually rolling out measures to reduce the city’s use of plastics as part of its environmental protection drive.
The statement said that after imposing a ban on the import of disposable Styrofoam tableware as well as an import ban on non-biodegradable single-use plastic drinking straws and drink stirrers, the local government has now decided to also ban the importation of non-biodegradable single-use plastic knives, forks and spoons from January 1 next year, after considering Macau’s real situation, studying the relevant experiences in other regions, and consulting the city’s restaurant sector on the matter.
The statement also said that the bureau will later organise a number of presentation sessions with the aim of providing representatives from the restaurant sector with a better understanding of the new import ban’s coverage and other details about the ban.
This photo taken yesterday shows a single-use plastic knife, fork and spoon provided as part of a takeaway from a restaurant earlier this year.
– Photo: Tony Wong
