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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 14) held a launch ceremony for the Community Recycling Network exhibition and drama show at Times Square, Causeway Bay to encourage members of the public to actively participate in waste reduction and recycling.
Visitors to the exhibition will learn more about the department's Community Recycling Network, which is based on a variety of source separation schemes, as well as other information about recycling. Visitors will also get to see a lively and interesting drama by the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre designed to drive home the green message.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Under Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, said Hong Kong is facing an imminent waste problem, and waste reduction at source remains the most effective way to tackle the problem. It not only relieves the pressure on landfills, but also turns waste into useful resources.
In 2005, the EPD introduced the Source Separation of Domestic Waste programme by distributing waste separation facilities at residential estates or buildings. The programme was extended to cover commercial and industrial premises in 2007, and now covers more than 80 per cent of the population.
Dr Poon added that the EPD's Community Recycling Network aims to raise public awareness of waste reduction and recycling by setting up promotional booths and recycling outlets all over the territory. These outlets will collect recyclables of low commercial value such as waste plastic items, glass bottles, small waste electrical and electronic appliances for recycling. She encouraged members of the public to make good use of the network and other facilities to take part in waste reduction and recycling.
The three-day exhibition at Times Square, which started yesterday (April 13), introduces the different components of the Community Recycling Network, including:
* Community Recycling Promotional Vehicles travelling all over the 18 districts;
* Community Recycling Centres in older districts;
* Non-government Organisation Collection Points;
* Community Recycling Booths at busy public locations; and
* The School Waste Reduction and Recycling Education and Awareness Campaign.
The exhibition also demonstrates the transfer system and recycling process of recyclables, and showcases the wide variety of materials and end-products produced by recycling items such as waste plastics, glass bottles, and small waste electrical and electronic appliances, allowing visitors to understand the importance of waste separation and recycling.
To spice up the exhibition, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre has produced a colourful drama involving an environmental warrior saving our polluted earth. The drama is designed to encourage people from all walks of life to take action to reduce waste.
The exhibition is held between 10am and 10pm, while the drama show is staged at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm for public viewing free-of-charge.
Other officiating guests at today's launch ceremony included members of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Environmental Campaign Committee, the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee, relevant District Councils, representatives from the EPD and other participating organisations of the Community Recycling Network.
Ends/Saturday, April 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:55
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