Plastic tableware — end in sight

"The timeline is too long and we should be more aggressive. I believe the government is taking a more conservative approach to make absolutely sure that everyone has ample time to comply," Bookhart said.

He pointed out that Hong Kong may lag behind other economies because there is no charge to dump most waste at local landfills. "This makes it significantly harder to establish the right kind of market incentives for cutting down on waste, recycling and other responsible consumption habits."

"However, Hong Kong tends to move fast when it's ready. I have no doubt that when the conditions are right, Hong Kong will spring to the lead," Bookhart added.

Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, a lawmaker from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the phase-out plan should consider local adaptability and allow catering businesses and diners more time to change consumption patterns.

Cheng, who chairs the Legislative Council's Panel on Environmental Affairs, urged the government to consult with the catering sector thoroughly regarding the timetable for enforcing the policies as Hong Kong is still recovering from a recession.

"We are worried that restaurants may have to transfer the additional costs to customers once they are banned from providing disposable tableware and have to use non-plastic alternatives," he said.

Yeung Wai-sing, chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, welcomed the timeline, saying the 2025 target would allow breathing space for businesses, which are still reeling from the pandemic.

"We don't know how soon the pandemic will end or how long the curbs on social gatherings will last. The plastics-free legislation will inevitably affect small restaurants that rely heavily on takeaway orders," Yeung said.