Promptly after major fast food businesses made the switch to offering reusable, non-plastic utensils for takeout orders, some online merchants acted quickly to attempt to profit from the restriction. They began posting items for sale on well-known marketplaces like Carousell even before the ban went into effect. One user listed transparent orange plastic utensils frequently used by the fast food chain Fairwood for sale at HK$10 (US$1.30) the day before the ban, describing them as “discontinued.” On Monday, a different user advertised a single plastic spoon from the chain as “out of production” for HK$200, stating that the fork was missing because the seller had used it to “eat noodles when I was hungry” and that the spoon was “lightly used.”
A set of white plastic spoons, bamboo chopsticks, toothpicks, and tissues, which is one of the most popular combinations provided by restaurants of all types, was listed for the astounding price of HK$888,888.88 in yet another audacious listing. The number eight is associated with wealth in Hong Kong. When contacted by the Post, the seller did not react to inquiries regarding a more sensible price.
Facebook users who were talking about the sales were enthusiastic, with one person commenting, “Wow, this is what we mean by ‘discontinued.’ Another urged people to purchase it quickly, saying, “The prices will rise further.” One user bragged about having “five big bags” of extra utensils at home, indicating their intention to make a profit off of them. One user stated that they would wait two more years, by which time plastic utensils would be gone and a set could fetch HK$100. However, others criticized those trying to profit from a ban that was intended to promote sustainability. “Those who sell them are genuinely sick,” said one user.
The first phase of the ban prohibits the use of styrofoam products and disposable plastic utensils like cutlery and straws for takeout orders. Single-use plastic tableware is no longer offered to customers who dine in. However, the government has implemented a six-month grace period to give businesses and residents time to adjust to the transition. After the grace period expires, only businesses that continue to violate the law will face legal action. They risk receiving a HK$100,000 fine and may also be required to pay a HK$2,000 fixed penalty.
