{"id":152401,"date":"2021-07-30T09:30:23","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T01:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/?p=152401"},"modified":"2025-01-03T09:38:17","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T01:38:17","slug":"single-use-plastic-in-hong-kong-plastic-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/single-use-plastic-in-hong-kong-plastic-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Single-use plastic in Hong Kong is an epidemic, and we’re over it! Help the planet with these tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

From supermarkets<\/a> to food delivery services<\/a> and even some of our favourite bars<\/a>, single-use plastic in Hong Kong is an epidemic. In a bid to help you live a more plastic-free life, we\u2019ve got some suggestions that will be easy to implement into your regular routine. You don\u2019t have to change your habits in one foul swoop though, try adding something new to your life every few weeks, and you will soon be on your way to a more eco-friendly existence.<\/p>\n

How to reduce single-use plastic in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n

#1. Buy yourself a water filter<\/h3>\n
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A water filter will absolutely change your life (no joke!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Have you fallen into the trap of buying plastic bottles of water every time that you visit the supermarket? Here\u2019s something that will actually change your life: buy a water filter. Not only will you have drinkable water on hand 24\/7, you will end up spending less on your H2O long term. Plus, who likes lugging those huge bottles of water around anyway?<\/p>\n

Our favourite brand of filter is Aquasana<\/a>, as they create products to specifically target the nasty hard metals in Hong Kong water. I honestly don\u2019t know how I lived before my Aquasana AQ-4000-DVPI Claryum Water Filter was installed – #thisisnotanad. It\u2019s small enough to fit in our tiny kitchen, and at just $998, can you really afford not have one?<\/p>\n

#2. Switch to sustainable toothbrushes<\/h3>\n
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Think about how many toothbrushes you and your family dispose of each year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So apparently around 100 million toothbrushes are thrown away every year in Hong Kong alone; just imagine how many toothbrushes that is across the entire world! Make the switch to sustainable varieties now, and you’ll make a big impact. We are loving the bamboo version from agooday<\/a> that is crafted from sustainable bamboo plantations in Taiwan.<\/p>\n

#3. Shop at the wet markets<\/h3>\n
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Buy your fruit and veggies from the wet markets and ditch plastic altogether<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most painful experiences in Hong Kong is going to the supermarket seeing all the produce wrapped in single-use plastic. Avoid the heartache and shop at the wet markets instead. Not only are they full of amazing sights, sounds and smells, but they are also some of the few places in Hong Kong where you can buy things that are not excessively wrapped in plastic (fancy a plastic bag, with your plastic-wrapped goodies, anyone?)<\/p>\n

Take your own shopping bag or container along for a plastic-free experience and collect your selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs in the basket. Then make sure to explain that you have your own bag before you cash out. We love to go to the wet market on Centre Street in Sai Ying Pun as it\u2019s huge and the range is phenomenal.<\/p>\n

We understand that you may want to find delivery options for fresh vegetables too, so take a look at our guide to grocery delivery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

#4. Please, please, please stop using balloons<\/h3>\n
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Balloons are bad, mmmkay?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Call us the party poopers, but balloons are one of the worst forms of single-use plastic abuse in Hong Kong. Every night sees more and more events taking place, with latex balloons strung up in the hundreds if not thousands. Sorry to burst your bubble, but these plastic monstrosities end up in our waterways, and they can not be broken down, so undoubtedly end up in the stomach of some poor marine animal. Don’t worry though, as there are sustainable decorating alternatives, such as bunting, paper streamers and live plants available to liven up your next party. We love the floral fabric bunting available at Little Days<\/a> in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

#5. Let’s talk about glitter…<\/h3>\n

Say it ain’t so! Honestly, I love glitter as much (or possibly even more) than the next person, but this sparkly substance is made out of non-biodegradable materials like copolymer plastic and aluminium foil. That shouldn’t take the shine out of your life though because you can now easily find eco-friendly glitter online (from shops like Eco Stardust<\/a>)\u00a0that will help you rid your life of single-use plastic in Hong Kong!<\/p>\n

#6. Switch from liquid beauty products to solid bars<\/h3>\n

You might feel like this is taking it old school, but liquid soap was only a gimmick anyway, right (did you ever have it when you were little?) Bars of soap are plastic-free and you can buy solid bars of shampoo at loads of placing across town, including Lush<\/a>. We promise that they work just as well, plus the natural flavours they come in are DIVINE.<\/p>\n

#7. Buy in bulk with reusable containers<\/h3>\n
\"waste-free-groceries-in-Hong-Kong\"
We love shopping for things in bulk, as it’s not only a delight for the planet, but also the senses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Open up your pantry right now and look inside. How many plastic-wrapped goodies can you spy? If you want to make a difference, start shopping in bulk at grocery stores like Live Zero Bulk Foods, where you can take your own containers and fill them up with staples like cacao powder, dried apricots, couscous, pasta, oil and loads more.<\/p>\n

Check out our full list of where to shop waste-free groceries in Hong Kong<\/a>.<\/p>\n

#8. Think about how you store your food<\/h3>\n

If you want to ditch single-use plastic in Hong Kong, then it’s best to avoid plastic wrap. Switch over to something like Beeswax Wrap from Delightfully Green<\/a>. This reusable product is made out of edible beeswax from local farms in Hong Kong and is available in a bunch of different sizes from apple to watermelon.<\/p>\n

#9. Take your own coffee cup<\/h3>\n

We hate to break it to you, but most takeaway coffee cups are lined with plastic, and don\u2019t even get us started on iced coffee containers… The best solution is really to take your own, and the team over at Live Zero<\/a> have a great selection of options and sizes for you to choose from (we love the Stojo, pictured above, that collapses to fit in your handbag or back pack.)<\/p>\n

#10. Invest in a reusable lunch box<\/h3>\n
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The Prepd lunch box is reusable, and even comes with its own magnetic cutlery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s really easy to get in the habit of buying lunch every day in Hong Kong, but if you stop and think about all the plastic your noodles, sandwiches and crisps are package in, it should be alarming. A good way to help cut down on single-use plastic in Hong Kong is to start taking your lunch in a reusable container. One great option for this Prepd<\/a>, a modular lunch box that not only looks amazing on Instagram, but also comes with an App that includes recipes that feature a nutritional breakdown for each dish. Love!<\/p>\n

#11. Carry your own utensils<\/h3>\n

Did you know that Greenpeace did a poll in 2017 that showed that 66 per cent of Hong Kongers use disposable cutlery every time they dine out? Those stats are horrifying. If you regularly eat at restaurants that only offer plastic utensils, then be sure to invest in a portable cutlery set, like this offering from Black Temptation<\/a>. This is one of the biggest changes you can make when it comes to reducing single-use plastic in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

#12. Say no to the straw<\/h3>\n