EPD to launch peach blossom tree recycling service
**************************************************

     To encourage the reduction and recycling of yard waste, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has called on members of the public and commercial and industrial (C&I) organisations to deliver peach blossom trees (PBTs) intended for disposal to designated collection points for recycling. The EPD's contractor will process the collected PBTs and recycle them into useful materials such as mulch and compost to conserve resources and reduce waste.

     Members of the public are encouraged to deliver the PBTs with decorations removed to the 37 Public Refuse Collection Points and six Outlying Islands Transfer Facilities from February 18 to 25. Please refer to the Annex for the locations and opening hours of the collection points.

     C&I organisations, such as property management companies, and members of the public can also deliver the PBTs to the EcoPark (address: 133, Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories) on the above specified dates from 9am to 6pm. C&I organisations should only deliver the PBTs to the EcoPark directly. Other collection points will not accept PBTs delivered by C&I organisations.

     For enquiries, please call the hotline of the recycling service at 9706 6549 during 9am to 6pm on weekdays. During the collection dates of PBTs (February 18 to 25), the hotline service will operate from 8am to 8pm. For more details, please refer to the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website (www.wastereduction.gov.hk).

     An EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that this recycling service is limited to PBTs and they should remove all decorations, fai chun, tape, etc before delivering the PBTs to the collection points to facilitate the subsequent recycling processes. Festive decorations can be stored for reuse. For other small potted plants (such as kumquat trees), the public are advised to replant them to help reduce waste.

     An e-certificate will be provided to all participants and C&I organisations who deliver PBTs to the EcoPark in Tuen Mun.

     The EPD also welcomes other organisations and associations to provide recycling services for PBTs to help the public and C&I organisations to participate and enhance waste reduction for all.

Ends/Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:00

NNNN