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Don't be surprised if you bump into Big Waster at this year's Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. The popular anti-food waste campaigner will be making a special appearance at the spectacular three-day event from March 28 at Hong Kong Stadium to encourage everyone to reduce and recycle waste.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) today (March 20) announced a new collaboration with the key stakeholders of the Hong Kong Sevens 2014 to trial a number of green initiatives.
The EPD also thanked the HKRFU and key stakeholders including Cathay Pacific, HSBC, Holiday Inn, Swire Coca-Cola Hong Kong Ltd, Carlsberg Hong Kong Ltd, as well as other concession service providers. The participation and support of these organisations, as well as that from members of the public attending the tournament, are crucial to make this mega sporting event greener, and thus make Hong Kong greener too.
An EPD spokesman said, "A number of new environmentally friendly ideas and practices will be implemented for trial at the Hong Kong Sevens 2014 with a view to preparing for the formation of a Task Force for a more comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan next year."
This year, the EPD will join hands with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to enhance the stadium's continued recycling initiatives, such as providing recycling bins for the collection of plastic bottles and beverage cups. Posters will be displayed at the venue to guide people to put them in the right bins.
The departments will also collaborate with food caterers and concession service providers to arrange the donation of surplus food and separation and collection of other types of recyclables such as food waste, glass bottles and paper for recycling. The Environment Bureau also issued a letter to holders of the executive boxes and suites to call on their support for various green measures to be implemented.
Among the green initiatives, Big Waster, a popular character from the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign, should not be missed. The event's Green Ambassadors will appear with Big Waster and mingle with the public. In addition, Big Waster and the Hong Kong Men's National Sevens Team player, Mr Kwok Ka-chun, who is a fireman, are featured in the Tackle Waste to Win poster specially produced by the EPD and the HKRFU. The poster will be displayed around the stadium to remind spectators to "tackle waste" during the event.
Green efforts will also be extended to other activities related to the Hong Kong Sevens that take place beyond the stadium, such as the HK Fan Zone at the New Central Harbourfront, and social functions at the nearby Indian Recreation Club and Confucius Hall Secondary School.
The Environment Bureau unveiled the "Hong Kong: Blueprint for Sustainable Use of Resources 2013-2022" in May last year and recently announced "A Food Waste and Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022" to mobilise the community to reduce waste and promote the "Use Less, Waste Less" lifestyle. The greening of the Hong Kong Sevens is a collaborative effort between the Government and the community to make Hong Kong greener and more sustainable.
Ends/Thursday, March 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:28
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