Single-use plastics reduction to continue

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raymond Tam, reaffirmed at the Legislative Assembly during a debate on the 2025 policy agenda that the reduction of the use of single-use products and utensils, as well as plastic materials, will continue.

Tam noted that such measures, which included the prohibition of the import of several items such as plastic straws and single-use utensils, and the requirement to reduce the use of other plastic materials that started in 2019, have been delivering good results.

“We have had good results, I can say. We will restrict the import of some plastics and other single-use products further,” he said, despite admitting the challenges posed by the increased popularity of takeout food platforms.

“Many people use takeout and other online platforms that produce a lot of waste and use some of these products. This is a challenge for us. We need to study this [new measures] carefully,” Tam said, noting that this is a global problem and not restricted to Macau, and remarking that Macau also has to comply with several national regulations and policies.

The Secretary also noted that the government conducted a midterm review of the policies implemented in 2019 last year and concluded that there was room to implement some new policies to reduce plastic use, which will be introduced gradually.

On environmental protection of a different kind, Tam also revealed that the government will advance this year with some new legal frameworks related to the emission of “oily smoke” by restaurants and food and beverage establishments, noting that the matter is somewhat complex as it involves licensing and inspection by two different entities: the Macao Government Tourism Office in some cases, and the Municipal Affairs Bureau in others.