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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (August 23) called for joint efforts by the community to properly recycle used computers and other electronic equipment in support of the green concept of "Use Less, Waste Less".
Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival 2013 today, Mr Wong noted that some consumers may replace their computer products from time to time given the rapid advancement of technology. However, they should practise the concept of "Use Less, Waste Less", think twice before seeking replacements and shop for products that best suit their needs. The public should also properly recycle their used computers, so that those that can no longer be reused may be dismantled to recycle the various components, he added.
To enable the public to properly recycle their used computers, the organiser of the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival 2013 has thoughtfully set up a Computer Recycling Station at the event. The recycling station collects used computers and other electronic equipment for refurbishment and recycling. The refurbished computer products will be donated to the needy, while the remaining computer parts and components will be dismantled for recycling. The details are as follows:
Date: August 23 to 26
Time: 10am to 9pm
(10am to 6pm on August 26)
Location: Computer Recycling Station, outside Hall 1,
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Details: Those who recycle a whole desktop computer
set*, a laptop, a printer, a scanner or a
computer monitor can enjoy the following
benefits:
1) Two admission tickets to the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival 2013 with special admission passage to the venue.
2) One set of environmentally friendly stationery (available on a first-come, first-served basis and while stocks last).
* A whole computer set should include the CPU, RAM, the hard disk, the motherboard and the transformer.
The Computer Recycling Station is set up by the Hong Kong WEEE Recycling Association and co-organised by the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry (CHKCI), with the support of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
The Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival 2013 also has booths with display panels and games to raise public awareness on the recycling of computers, fluorescent lamps and tubes, and rechargeable batteries. The green living message of "Bring your own bag" is also being promoted.
The Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival 2013 is organised by the CHKCI. The CHKCI has been collaborating with the EPD on the pilot computer recovery programme since 2006. It has also motivated the computer industry to set up the Hong Kong WEEE Recycling Association and launched with the EPD a comprehensive computer recycling programme, which has now entered its sixth year of operation.
To tackle the waste problem in Hong Kong, the Environment Bureau in May unveiled "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022", which advocates cultivating the concept of "Use Less, Waste Less". Apart from carrying out publicity and education, the Government will introduce different policies and legislation including a mandatory producer responsibility scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) as the priority. At present, the Government is actively working on the legislative proposals. In addition, the tender invitation for developing a WEEE treatment facility with an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes will also commence shortly. With the producer responsibility scheme being put into place, locally generated WEEE would be properly recycled in Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, August 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:47
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