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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC), the Education Bureau and the Yan Oi Tong EcoPark Plastic Resources Recycling Centre jointly held an award presentation ceremony for the Reduce Your Waste and Recycle Your Plastics Campaign 2011-12 today (December 11) to acknowledge the efforts of participating schools in promoting school waste reduction and recycling in the past year.
The campaign aims to enhance students' awareness of waste reduction and recycling, cultivate their green habits, and educate them about the proper way to recycle plastic waste. Students are also encouraged to drive home the message of waste reduction and recycling and to invite their family members to participate in recycling activities.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Ms Anissa Wong, said waste reduction remains the top priority of our waste management policy and various measures are in place to promote waste reduction in schools and the community. Waste statistics from the EPD show that the average daily quantity of solid waste disposed of at landfills in 2011 was 13,458 tonnes, representing a reduction of 2.6 per cent as compared to 2010. The decline in waste disposal would not have been achievable without the support of the public.
Other guests attending today's ceremony included the ECC Chairman, Professor David Lung, and the Chairman of the 33rd Term Board of Directors of Yan Oi Tong, Mr Dennis Wong.
At the ceremony, schools with outstanding performance in the first phase of the campaign were presented with various awards, including the Best Participating School, the Best Waste Reduction and Recycling Ambassador, the Best Waste Recycling Corner Award and the Promotion and Publicity Award. Student representatives from the Best Participating Schools shared their experience in promoting waste reduction and recycling on campus and encouraged participating schools in the second phase to actively take part in the campaign.
In addition, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre performed a short drama production with a theme of waste reduction. The choir from Ma On Shan Ling Liang Primary School also sang various songs to convey the importance of practising green habits in daily life in an interesting and interactive way.
A total of 104 schools participated in the first phase of the campaign. The second phase was launched in the school year 2012/13 and 292 primary and secondary schools have enrolled so far.
For more information on the campaign and the list of awardees, please visit the following website: www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/community/school_wrr_eac.htm.
Ends/Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:30
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