The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:
 
     In order to promote the green practice of going plastic-and-disposable-free, the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have launched a programme which involves lending reusable tableware to large-scale event organisers for free to encourage them to reduce the use of disposable tableware so as to jointly reduce waste and carbon emissions.
 
     An ECC spokesman today (December 13) said that a variety of large-scale events are held in Hong Kong every year, and some of them serve food and beverages using disposable tableware and food containers for the sake of convenience, thus generating a considerable amount of waste. To promote waste reduction at source, the ECC and the EPD, with sponsorship from the Environment and Conservation Fund, have arranged production of 5 000 sets of reusable tableware, each comprising a bowl, a water cup, a spoon, a fork and a pair of chopsticks, for lending to organisers of large-scale events for free. A tableware cleaning and sterilisation service contractor has also been engaged by the ECC to provide the related delivery, collection and cleaning services.
 
     Starting from next Monday (December 17), interested event organisers can submit applications to the ECC Secretariat for the lending service based on their requirements for different types and quantities of tableware. The completed application form can be returned to the ECC Secretariat by email (ecc@epd.gov.hk), fax (2827 8138) or mail (5/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong). The application form can be downloaded from ecc.org.hk/english/publicity/tableware_lending_programme.html and enquiries can be made by calling 2835 1258.
 
     In addition to the above programme, to support the United Nations theme of "Beat Plastic Pollution" for this year's World Environment Day, the ECC has also been holding a series of activities to promote the concept of going plastic-and-disposable-free, including the "NO Disposables Campus Award", plastic-free online games and the "Plastic-Free Takeaway, Use Reusable Tableware" Campaign. Through this series of activities, the ECC hopes to enhance public awareness of the adverse environmental impact caused by disposable plastics waste, encourage the public to practise waste reduction at source and foster a culture of living plastic-and-disposable-free.
 
     For details of various ECC projects and activities promoting waste reduction and going plastic-free, please visit the website www.ecc.org.hk.

  

     A Government spokesman announced today (December 13) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Professor Wong Yuk-shan as the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service (Judicial Committee). The Chief Executive has also re-appointed Mr T C Chan, Ms May Tan Siew-boi and Ms Melissa Wu as members of the Judicial Committee. The four appointees will serve for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2019.

    The Judicial Committee is tasked to advise and make recommendations to the Chief Executive on matters concerning the salary and conditions of service of judges and judicial officers.

    Other members of the Judicial Committee are Mr Alfred Chan Wing-kin, Mr Jat Sew-tong and Mr Dieter Yih.

     The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) launched the city's second self-service library station today (December 13) in Tsim Sha Tsui, strengthening the provision of round-the-clock public library services for the public.

     This library station is located at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (opposite the entrance of the Studio Theatre) in Tsim Sha Tsui, and stores about 300 Chinese and English books on various subjects. Using their library card or Hong Kong identity card, HKPL registered users can borrow and return library materials, pick up reserved library materials and pay library fees and charges with Octopus at the library station on their own. The library station's stock will be replenished timely, during which services will be suspended temporarily.

     The design of this library station blends in with the surrounding context. It takes reference from the unique architectural features and geometry of the Cultural Centre. Materials like fluted glass and patterned concrete panels are used. The modern and minimal design brings a fresh look to the covered space and provides a comfortable and functional library station for the public.

     "Under the scheme, which was rolled out on a trial basis last December, trial points are being set up on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories. The first library station is located at Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area next to the Hong Kong Film Archive, and the third one, located near Tai Wai MTR Station, is expected to launch in the first half of 2019" an LCSD spokesperson said. 

     For details of library station services, please visit www.hkpl.gov.hk/libstation.

     Hong Kong Customs detected seven suspected drug trafficking cases during passenger clearance at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal from November 15 to yesterday (December 12). About 100 grams of suspected cocaine as well as different kinds of suspected dangerous drugs including a small amount of methamphetamine and cannabis with an estimated market value of about $110,000 were seized.

     Customs today (December 13) revealed that a total of seven persons, comprising one incoming passenger and six outgoing passengers, aged between 16 and 37, were arrested in the cases. Among the arrested persons, three of them were aged 21 or below. 

     The suspected dangerous drugs seized in the cases were mostly found on the body of the arrested persons and were packed in small packages ready for distribution.

     With the imminent arrival of the Christmas and New Year holiday period, it is anticipated that criminals may make use of websites and social media platforms to lure people into carrying various prohibited or controlled items such as dangerous drugs. Customs reminds members of the public, in particular young people, to stay alert to suspicious recruitment posts on unfamiliar websites and social media platforms. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Noting that the recreational use of cannabis has recently been legalised in individual overseas jurisdictions, Customs in particular reminds members of the public that cannabis is a dangerous controlled drug in Hong Kong. Illicit import of cannabis or any products that contains controlled cannabinoids (such as tetrahydro-cannabinol), including any food products and drinks, is also controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Customs will continue stringent law enforcement at boundary control points.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, members of the public can share the joy of the festive season by patronising the social enterprise (SE) booths at the 53rd Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo (HKBPE) and FarmFest 2019 for heartwarming gifts for family and friends, as well as showing their support to SEs for bringing social good to society through sustainable business models.
      
     The HKBPE will be held at Victoria Park from this Saturday (December 15) to January 7. Members of the public are welcome to visit the SE booths at Booths No. 4A10 to 4A12. Fifteen SEs will take turns to showcase their products, including handicrafts and health and organic products. Please refer to Annex A for details. People purchasing products at the SE booths reaching the spending requirement or completing the booth game at the booth of the Home Affairs Department at Booth No. 4A13 will receive a free souvenir on a first-come, first-served basis.
      
     The HKBPE will be open from 11am to 10pm, and will close at 8pm on the last day of the exposition. The admission fee is $12, and entry is free for children below 1 metre in height, senior citizens aged 65 or above and persons with disabilities.
      
     FarmFest 2019 will be held at Fa Hui Park from January 4 to 6. Seven SEs will showcase their health and organic products at Booths S34 to S39. Please refer to Annex B for details. The fair will be open from 10am to 8pm. Admission is free.
      
     A spokesman for the Home Affairs Department said, "These large-scale trade fairs provide good opportunities for SEs to demonstrate to members of the public the positive social impacts they have created so as to enlist public support for the continuous development of SEs."
      
     To look for SEs anytime and anywhere, people can make use of the "SE Directory" website (www.socialenterprise.org.hk/en/sedb) and mobile app, which contains details of over 650 SEs with a wide variety of products and services in Hong Kong.