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The Pilot Programme on Source Separation of Glass Bottles in Housing Estates was officially launched today (January 15), adding new momentum to the Green Hong Kong effort.
"Promoting waste separation at source is an essential component of tackling the waste problem. The recycling of glass bottles helps reduce waste and conserve natural resources. This pilot programme enables the public to enjoy greater participation in the source separation of waste," the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, said during the launch ceremony at the Piazza of the Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate.
"We will further consider arrangements to promote glass recycling in the rest of Hong Kong after reviewing the result of this pilot project," he said.
To allow more people to participate in source separation of glass bottles and to promote glass bottle recycling in Hong Kong, the Environmental Protection Department has teamed up with the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) to launch a 12-month Pilot Programme on Source Separation of Glass Bottles at six public rental housing estates in East Kowloon, namely, Choi Ying Estate, Shun Lee Estate, Shun On Estate, Shun Tin Estate, Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate and Yau Lai Estate.
The HKHA has installed light green glass recycling bins alongside the three existing coloured waste separation bins in the lobbies or near the entrances of each residential block in the participating housing estates. This will enable residents to recycle their glass bottles as part of their daily waste-disposal process.
The new recycling bins have a special internal design, which lessens the impact and noise generated by glass bottles being discarded into the bins.
The glass bottles collected from the participating estates will be recycled into glass sand, replacing natural river sand in the production of paving blocks.
Ends/Saturday, January 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:38
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