Hong Kong Industrialist Aug Oct 2021

The use of disposable, non-degradable plastic products have raised global concern for its environmental impact. Jurisdictions worldwide have begun regulating single-use plastic products through legislation. In mainland China, the Ministry of Commerce announced the plan to restrict using plastic products in the commercial field in September last year with the target set to eliminate single-use plastics nation-wide by 2025. While in Hong Kong, the Government also launched the public consultation on producer responsibility scheme for plastic bottles and on the regulation of disposable plastics tableware. Besides the reduction of disposable plastics, the plastic industry envisions to step up its efforts on sustainable development by producing recyclable, reusable and carbon-neutral plastic products. In the past decades, the industry has been keen on the R&D of degradable and recyclable plastic materials with less environmental footprint. On the other hand, recyclable composites and reinforced plastics have gained momentum in the industry and tapped into new products markets like automobile, construction and medical supplies as an alternative to metal components. These manufactures, which makes full use of the meritorious properties of plastics, are of much higher value-add and development potential than disposable plastic products. The Hong Kong’s plastics industry will continue its devotion into green manufacturing and resource circulation by developing and applying innovative plastic materials, in order to produce more sustainable products for manufacturers and consumers. 近年全球關注塑膠污染及影響生態環境的問 題，多國政府透過修訂法例，規管一次性、 不可降解塑膠的使用。內地商務部於去年九 月發布「關於進一步加強商務領域塑料污染 治理工作的通知」，訂下全國2025年前「減 塑」時間表；而香港政府亦在今年亦開展對 塑膠飲品樽生產者責任計劃及規管即棄膠餐 具的公眾諮詢。除了減少使用一次性塑膠產 品，業界亦積極可回收、可重用以至碳中和 的塑膠產品，開拓更可持續的發展方式。 近十數年，業界已開始投入研發新的可降解 及可再造的塑膠物料，作為一次性塑膠的替 代品，減輕對環境造成的負擔。另一方面， 業界亦轉向生產具環保回收功能的複合材料 及強化塑膠，部份可以作為金屬的替代品應 用於汽車、建築及生物醫療用品等行業，開 拓新的產品市場。此類型的製品善用塑膠材 料的優點和特性，比起一次性塑膠更高增值 及具發展潛力。香港塑膠業界將會繼續支持 和協助同業研發和應用創新塑膠物料，推動 環保製造業及資源循環，生產可持續性更高 的產品予工業界及消費者。 Chairman: Bernie Ting 主席:丁煒章 | Vice-Chairman: Paul Tai 副主席:戴麟 Hong Kong Plastics Industry Council 香港塑膠業協會 GROUP 15 分組 第 8-10/2021 | 75