Cover Using alternatives such as paper containers and cutlery can help reduce the amount of plastics that goes to landfills and build more climate-conscious habits extending beyond meals (Photo: Getty Images)
Using alternatives such as paper containers and cutlery can help reduce the amount of plastics that goes to landfills and build more climate-conscious habits extending beyond meals (Photo: Getty Images)
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Here are five sustainability brands taking care of your daily lunch needs now that single-use plastics are banned across Hong Kong
In light of Hong Kong’s single-use plastic ban—which began on April 22 with a six-month grace period—restaurants, eateries and caterers are now required to shift away from the use of disposable plastic containers and cutlery; but as an individual, you can do your part too. Being sustainable is about building the right habits—we each have our role to play in mindful consumption.
First, let’s get the obvious out of the way: you don’t need to purchase anything new to become more sustainable. Whether you already have containers from taking away leftovers or from food delivery, there is plenty that you can already do for a more eco-friendly lunch.
That being said, here are five brands operating in Hong Kong that encourage the building of more sustainable habits. This push for reusability and alternatives for plastic packaging means businesses are listening to consumers and finding new ways to be more sustainable—we should also take the cue and waste less.
In case you missed it: Earth Day 2024: 12 local eco-friendly brands to support in Hong Kong
1. Muuse
Muuse helps restaurants and customers adopt reusable products such as cups and containers through the use of technology—ultimately reducing single-use plastic waste. The company operates globally, including Singapore, Canada and Hong Kong (notably in Taikoo Place and Pacific Place). Muuse’s food and beverage partners serve takeaway drinks and meals in the company’s QR-coded reusable cups and containers. After use, the cups and containers can be discarded at designated drop-off points found via the Muuse app. Muuse then collects the reusable vessels and has them professionally cleaned before they are distributed back to food vendors. The best part is it's entirely free in Hong Kong—although a monthly subscription is required when ordering from Muuse vendors via food delivery services.
Read more: Ion Orchard is reducing single-use waste with its pilot Sustainable Takeaway programme
2. Foodpanda
Launched in September 2022 in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Hong Kong, Foodpanda’s reusable packaging pilot programme has made substantial inroads. Customers can choose to have their meals served in reusable containers at selected restaurants in Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay for delivery or pick-up. There is a HK$15 deposit per reusable container that can be reimbursed via Octopus when returning them at designated collection machines—users will also get an additional HK$15 Foodpanda e-voucher. To make matters more convenient, customers can also choose to give Foodpanda couriers their reusable containers—forfeiting the deposit as a tip to the courier, who is then able to redeem it.
Users can also pick up Foodpanda reusable containers themselves at the Hong Kong MTR station for a HK$10 deposit and take them to any restaurants for takeaway orders. Corporate catering options from restaurants within the pilot areas are also available for internal and external events, with Foodpanda collecting the used containers after the event.
Don’t miss: Learn how Foodpanda is increasing its sustainability initiatives for a greener, more convenient future
3. Sustainabl Planet
It all began with a straw made of a grass native to the rice fields of Vietnam. Richard Oliver, who began distributing this straw in Hong Kong in 2018, saw the demand for alternatives to plastic packaging surge soon afterwards, leading him to set up Sustainabl Planet. Today, the company prides itself in providing fully compostable paper packaging products—made of their sturdy, proprietary bagasse material—to restaurant businesses in Hong Kong. These can be customised with logos printed in chemical-free ink and range from cutlery and food containers to greaseproof pizza packaging and paper cups with paper lids.
Read more: Earth Day 2024: Meet the food packaging company preparing for Hong Kong’s ban on disposable plastics
4. Slowood
Building more sustainable lunch habits is one thing, but there are also many easy ways to expand these practices to other areas. When it comes to this, Slowood co-founder Dora Lam is not too concerned about achieving perfection. Rather, she believes we can “yield better results when large groups of people make tiny steps together.”
With the 2019 launch of its flagship store in Kennedy Town, Slowood offers a range of sustainable household items and bulk grocery options to help everyone develop more environmentally mindful habits. You’ll find a wide offering of reusable lunch containers and cutlery but also sustainable options for cleaning supplies, beauty products or even pet care—some items can even be had in bulk which can save money and limit the amount of packaging used.
We all have something in our lives that can be made more sustainable, whether you are taking your first step in helping the planet or going deeper towards zero-waste living. Slowood carefully curates its inventory to meet standards for ethical sourcing and sustainability while also keeping close in mind customers at all stages of their sustainability journey.
Don’t miss: Eco Heroes: Chen Kai-ping And Dora Lam Of Slowood
5. Live Zero
Moving even deeper into sustainable habits can lead us to zero-waste living—a lifestyle movement where careful consideration is given to keeping waste at a minimum. Given that the average Hong Konger generates about 1.5kg of waste per day, more of us should actively be moving towards zero-waste where we can with our habits.
Live Zero, the first store of its kind in Hong Kong founded by Tamsin Thornburrow (Gen.T 2018), opened its doors in 2018 and has been on a mission to promote zero-waste living with household products, personal care supplies and a wide offering of bulk grocery foods, including olive oil, pasta, grains and seeds—all with no packaging. The store also provides free jars for your bulk purchases if needed and encourages visitors to drop off their own for others to reuse.
Don’t miss: How zero-waste store Live Zero is redefining sustainability amidst economic challenges
Khoa Tran is Social Impact Editor at Tatler Hong Kong. He covers stories touching on sustainability, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and diversity. Trained as a lawyer, Khoa’s work as a writer had previously touched up topics such as regulatory compliance, ESG, and banking. Outside of the office, he enjoys rock climbing and relaxing in jazz clubs.
