Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) Director Ip Kuong Lam says that the government plans to ban the import of single-use plastic cotton buds, balloon sticks and inflatable cheer sticks from early next year.
Ip made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Praça da Amizade (popularly known as Sintra Square) in Nam Van on Saturday on the sidelines of an event organised by his bureau to mark World Environment Day on June 5.
The government has banned the import of single-use Styrofoam meal boxes, bowls, cups and plates since January 1, 2021, the import of single-use non-biodegradable plastic drinking straws and drink stirrers since January 1, 2022, the import of single-use non-biodegradable plastic knives, forks and spoons since January 1, 2023, and the import of single-use non-biodegradable plastic plates and cups as well as single-use Styrofoam food trays since January 1, 2024.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Ip noted that the government has banned the import of different types of single-use plastic and Styrofoam tableware items in four phases since 2021, adding that the findings of his bureau’s review on the four-phase import bans indicate that they have been effective in reducing the amount of plastic rubbish in the city generated by the use of single-use tableware.
Ip said that based on the findings of his bureau’s review, the government has decided to roll out its fifth-phase import ban on single-use plastic products, namely cottonwool buds, balloon sticks and inflatable cheer sticks, adding that the government aims to complete drawing up an executive order banning the import of the three types of single-use plastic products by the end of this year so that it can be implemented from early next year.
In addition to plastic, the rod of a cotton bud can also be made of wood or paper. Cotton buds with the rods made of wood or paper are available in the local retail market.
Ip also said that Macau currently imports 2.4 million packs of single-use plastic cottonwool buds, 100,000 single-use plastic balloon sticks, and 500,000 single-use plastic inflatable cheer sticks annually.
Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) Director Ip Kuong Lam speaks to reporters at Praça da Amizade on Saturday. – Photo courtesy of TDM
