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Three more mooncake manufacturers have committed to a greener Mid-Autumn Festival by signing the Voluntary Agreement on Management of Mooncake Packaging this year with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), bringing the total number of signatories to 15. With their collaboration, members of the public can continue to enjoy a more environmentally friendly Mid-Autumn Festival.
The EPD spokesman today (September 8) said, "The voluntary scheme was first rolled out in 2008 to enhance the participation of the trade in the environmental management of mooncake packaging. The scheme is now in its fourth year. There are three new signatories to the agreement this year - the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Holiday Inn Golden Mile and Luna Cake. They have joined the other 12 mooncake manufacturers - Arome, da dolce Gelato Italiano, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Gold Coast Hotel, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Heng Heung, Kee Wah, Langham Place Hotel (Mongkok), Maxim's, Panda Hotel, Saint Honore and Taipan - who signed the agreement last year, making a total of 15 signatories."
Under the agreement, the mooncake manufacturers commit to conserving resources and limiting the use of packaging materials through better design and production processes. They will also strive to adopt recyclable packaging materials and support and facilitate the recovery and recycling of used packaging materials. As a result of the effort taken by the mooncake manufacturers, both the packaging usage and its recyclability have been improving over the past few years.
The EPD spokesman said, "We are collecting data this year. Initial information available showed that the manufacturers who signed the agreement last year have made a good effort in managing their packaging usage. In general, the signatories are able to limit this year's packaging usage to the 2010 level."
The public are encouraged to return used mooncake containers and packaging through the EPD's source separation facilities or recovery programmes launched by other organisations. Enquiries on the recovery of mooncake containers through the EPD's source separation facilities can be made at 2838 3111. The information is also available at the EPD's waste reduction webpage at www.wastereduction.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, September 8, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:02
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