World Environment Day 2018 · Zero Waste Fun Fair promotes waste reduction to achieve “Dump Less, Save More”

The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:

     In support of World Environment Day, the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) held the Zero Waste Fun Fair today (June 10) under the theme "Dump Less, Save More" at the Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) and Kwun Tong Community Green Station (KTCGS) in Kowloon Bay. In addition, the Waste Reduction Challenge, an online promotion campaign jointly organised by the ECC, the Environment Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), was also launched to disseminate waste reduction messages through social media platforms.

      Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said that "Beat Plastic Pollution" has been chosen as the theme of this year's World Environment Day by the United Nations, showing that the global problem of excessive plastic waste is "here and now". Hong Kong cannot stand alone in the face of all the problems brought by the use of plastics, he said. Action should be taken to avoid excessive plastic use and reduce waste without further delay.

     Mr Wong said that the Government is exploring how to implement a producer responsibility scheme (PRS) targeting suitable plastic product containers. According to the preliminary study commissioned by the Government, the consultant is of the view that the PRS for plastic beverage containers should be given priority and a cash rebate arrangement can be considered to provide financial incentives for members of the public to recycle plastic beverage containers. Smart reverse vending machines can also be used to assist enhancing recycling efficiency. The consultant will engage relevant trade associations and other stakeholders to seek their views before submitting a final proposal to the EPD for consideration.

     In addition, the Government is actively exploring other measures to reduce the use of disposable plastic items and to promote the proper collection and recycling of plastics, including the feasibility of extending the pilot scheme on collection of waste plastic bottles to other non-bottle plastics. While government departments will continue to adopt a green policy to reduce the use of plastic straws and disposable utensils, the Government will also step up promotion of reducing such use among the trade and members of the public, and consider whether it is necessary or appropriate to implement related control in Hong Kong in the future.

     He stressed that in order to combat plastic waste and other waste challenges, the most effective means is waste reduction at source, and this cannot be achieved without the support of the general public. He urged members of the public to avoid using disposable plastic and other one-off items, and to help promote the idea of zero waste lifestyle to others while also practising it themselves.

     Mr Wong and other officiating guests also launched the online Waste Reduction Challenge promotion campaign at the ceremony. Under the campaign, 21 celebrities from various sectors have been invited to challenge Big Waster by practising waste reduction in everyday life. Through social media platforms, they will also nominate their friends to take up the green challenge, so as to disseminate waste reduction messages and promote behavioural changes among members of the public.

     Also officiating at the opening ceremony were the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, Miss Tanya Chan, and celebrities Michael Tong and Vince Ng.

     Echoing the theme "Beat Plastic Pollution" for this year's World Environment Day, the Zero Waste Fun Fair involved nearly 40 government departments, non-government organisations, green groups, community groups and public utilities to jointly promote the message of "use less, waste less", especially to avoid the use of disposable plastic products, to members of the public through various activities.

     Comprising four major zones, namely "Green Eating", "Green Playing", "Green Learning" and "Green Handicraft", the fun fair also included about 40 green booths, food counters and upcycling workshops. Kids' corners were set up for green story-telling sessions and games using recycled materials. Green book-swapping on environmental and nature-related themes was introduced this year to promote the sharing of resources and the joy of reading. Live music will be staged this evening to deliver green messages and award-winning movies screened to focus public attention on the plastic waste problem. The fun fair also included an exhibition of artworks made of bamboo pieces recycled from Lunar New Year Fairs, sharing sessions on current environmental topics, collaborative art jamming and guided tours. 

     Next to the ZCB at the KTCGS, a swap party and green workshops were also staged to further spread the message of "Dump Less, Save More". In addition, parallel activities were run at four other Community Green Stations (CGSs), namely Eastern CGS, Sha Tin CGS, Sham Shui Po CGS and Yuen Long CGS to encourage public participation in other districts. With the support of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, thematic displays of books on the environment are being held at Hong Kong Central Library and six district libraries in Kwun Tong during June. Green story telling activities are also taking place at all libraries in Kwun Tong.

     The ECC, the MTR Corporation and the Education Bureau jointly organise the ECC MTR Environmental Award for Schools every year to nurture a sense of environmental protection and responsibility among students. This year, "Dump Less, Save More" Poster Design Competition and Short Video Competition were organised to encourage primary and secondary students to unleash their creativity to promote the message of waste reduction. Awards were presented by the ECC at the ceremony today to winners of the school competitions and the winning entries were also displayed at the event venue.

      Founded in 1990, the ECC aims to enhance public participation in protecting the environment. The ECC holds promotion events for World Environment Day every year and organises programmes including the Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence, the Hong Kong Green School Awards and the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme. Information on the ECC’s programmes and activities is available at www.ecc.org.hk.