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LCQ20:Use of disposable food containers by schools
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   Following is a question by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (April 18) :

Question:

     Regarding the use of disposable food containers for lunch by primary and secondary school students, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)  of the respective total numbers of disposable food containers used by primary and secondary schools throughout the territory, and the respective amounts of public funds spent on the collection, transportation and disposal of the containers, together with a breakdown by the type of materials of the containers, in each of the past three years;

(b)  whether it will review the current situation regarding the use of disposable food containers by schools;

(c)  whether it has encouraged schools to use reusable food containers and cutlery; if it has, of the effectiveness of such efforts; if not, the reasons for that; and

(d)  whether it will provide financial incentives to encourage schools to use reusable food containers and cutlery?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a)  According to the estimate of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), in the past three years between 2004 and 2006, about 60 million, 47.5 million and 34 million disposable food containers were used by primary schools throughout the territory respectively, with respective net weights of about 1,200 tonnes, 950 tonnes and 680 tonnes.  About $1,000,000, $790,000 and $560,000 were spent on the collection, transportation and disposal of the containers in the past three years respectively.  As secondary students usually go out for lunch, the number of disposable food containers produced by secondary schools as a result of catering arrangements is far less than that of primary schools.  The above figures showed that there was clearly a declining trend in the use of disposable food containers by schools.

(b)  The EPD has been looking into the use of disposable food containers in schools to understand the various problems and constraints of schools when adopting more environmental friendly lunch practices, such as parents' misunderstanding at the initial stage, inadequate space of the school building, etc.  Nevertheless, the use of disposable food containers can be greatly reduced or even completely avoided if proper consideration is given to the physical condition of the school.  There are a number of feasible ways to achieve this.  For example, if there is adequate space, the school may introduce centralised distribution of meals and washing containers on site.  Otherwise, the school may request the supplier to use reusable food containers and collect them for washing after lunch.  The EPD will continue to monitor the progress of the implementation of the "green lunch" programme by schools, and encourage schools to overcome their problems and constraints to adopt a more environmental friendly lunch practice through publicity and guidance.

(c)  With the efforts of the EPD and the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) in promoting the "green lunch" programme to schools in recent years, more and more schools have adopted a more environmental friendly lunch practice.  For example, the EPD and the EMB have issued relevant guidelines to schools.  The EPD and green groups have also jointly conducted surveys, produced publicity leaflets and APIs to promote the "green lunch" programme to schools.  In collaboration with the Environmental Campaign Committee, we have organised seminars from time to time and invited school representatives to share their successful experience on the implementation of the "green lunch" programme, with a view to making teaching staff and parents understand the impact of disposable food containers to the Hong Kong environment and recognise that the programme will help raise students' environmental awareness.  We are planning to launch a new series of APIs in May to help schools understand various ways of implementing the "green lunch" programme, in a bid to call on more schools to adopt a more environmental friendly lunch practice.  In the past three years, there was clearly a declining trend in the use of disposable food containers in schools, indicating that the above efforts have been effective.

    EMB: Guidelines on Meal Arrangements in Schools
http://www.emb.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_2501/guidelinemealarrangement_e.pdf

    EPD: Guideline on the Reduction of Disposable Plastic Foam Food/Drink Containers
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_e_eps1.html

(d)  There is no significant price difference between adopting "green lunch" practices and using disposable food containers and cutlery.  Whether a school will use reusable food containers and cutlery or introduce centralised distribution of meals and on-site washing according to the characteristic of the school building, would largely depend on the support of the "green lunch" programme by the school and parents, as well as the physical condition of the school building.  The Environmental Campaign Committee, the EPD and the EMB have jointly organised the Hong Kong Green School Award to encourage schools to implement environment management programmes in their schools.  Participating schools are assessed on a number of criteria including whether the "green lunch" programme has been introduced.  The EPD will continue to encourage more schools to adopt "green lunch" practices which suit their needs, through publicity and education.

Ends/Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:24

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