Fight against disposable chopsticks rises again

 

Comment

Hygiene should be foremost concern

Usage of disposable chopsticks won’t harm the environment as they are mass-produced from birch, poplar trees and other secondary forests, which grow fast and have no economic value. The foremost thing we should be concerned about regarding reusable chopsticks is the hygiene problem, as the food industry lacks supervision.

–  Li Tao, food editor

Consumers still prefer one-off chopsticks

Many consumers don’t want to use common chopsticks because they are doubtful that their sterilization procedures really comply with hygienic standards. What’s more, consumers have gotten used to using this free and convenient tableware for years, so time is needed to change their habits.

– Tang Gang, restaurant manager

All disposable commodities should be banned

As far as I know, this is the third time the government has issued such a limitation. It seems to me that great talent is being used in petty things when all seven ministries target disposable chopsticks as an evil. Why don’t they formulate strict and concrete laws to curb the production of all disposable commodities instead of releasing a notice that they cannot enforce

– Li Xin, public servant

Hard to ban

The industry provides more than 300,000 jobs for Chinese workers and it exports products to more than 20 countries, raking in about $200 million every year, so it will be hard to replace.

–  Lian Guang, president of the Wooden Chopsticks Trade Association