Replacing recyclable plastic with non-recyclable wax/plastic lined paper product is merely a marketing ploy pandering for 'eco-friendly' passenger's money.

The carbon footprint of washing/reusing utensils are much greater than single use plastic, think of all the water treatment needed to produce clean water, and the treatment after.

Also, passengers from this part of the world loves taking stuff from planes, CX will be buying more new metal utensils in the system than they wash. Partly the reason why TG switched to plastic few years back.

Single use plastic is unavoidable to maintain hygiene cheaply. Think there's no single use plastic involved in premium cabins? Look inside the galley and see how all the meals and garnishes are loaded.

The socially responsible thing to do is to actually recycle properly but there is no money in recycling and Hong Kong has essentially no infrastructure or supply chain to support it.

Just my two cents.