New milestone for EPD's community recycling network (with photos)

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     To strengthen support for recycling facilities at the district level, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has been expanding the community recycling network. Following the full operation of 22 Recycling Stores and over 100 Recycling Spots, the EPD is embarking on a new journey regarding the overall community recycling network. The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (February 8) visited one of the Recycling Stores - GREEN@WALLED CITY, to witness the community recycling network realising this important milestone.

     Recycling Stores gradually commenced operations from mid-November last year and have gained positive responses from members of the public. Mr Wong said, "Recycling Stores have received over 50,000 people over the past three months and have been well received by the public. More than 100 Recycling Spots operating with a fixed destination and time schedules have brought convenience to many people. As at end of last December, Recycling Stores and their Recycling Spots have collected more than 750 tonnes of recyclables. The progress is encouraging, with an increase of nearly 80 per cent in total recyclable volume, compared to community recycling centres of the previous generation. The newly launched GREEN$ electronic participation incentive scheme has attracted nearly 30,000 members in such a short period of time. The accumulation of reward points enhances recycling incentives and encourages more people to integrate the practice of waste reduction into their daily life."

     Under the rebranded GREEN@COMMUNITY, Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots form the new community recycling network of the EPD, offering a range of new recycling experiences for members of the public. In addition to receiving a variety of recyclables (including waste paper, metals, plastics, glass bottles, regulated waste electrical and electronic equipment, small electrical appliances, rechargeable batteries, and fluorescent lamps and tubes), it further broadens the age group of participants and attracts people with less recycling experience to take a big step to establish a habit of clean recycling.

     The 22 new Recycling Stores have the following common features:

Design - Simple and neat with facilities including sorting tables, sinks and water dispensers to encourage members of the public to properly sort and prepare the resources for clean recycling and adopt a greener living by reducing waste at source and going "plastic-free".

Location - Conveniently accessible by residents in the neighbourhood. Ancillary recycling services are also provided by store operators, including recyclable collection from buildings and Recycling Spots staged regularly at selected locations.

Services - Collecting the common eight types of recyclable materials. The Recycling Stores are open daily except Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays with nighttime self-service recycling available. The Recycling Stores also disseminate latest recycling information, conduct publicity events and environmental education activities.

Rewards - The GREEN$ electronic participation incentive scheme was launched to enable members of the public to earn GREEN$ through the GREEN$ smart card and redeem gifts from the entire community recycling network.

Handling - Recyclables collected by store operators are properly treated by downstream recyclers approved by the EPD, and are turned into resources, such as secondary plastic materials by local recycling facilities.

     Starting from 2020, the EPD has regularised the funding support for Community Recycling Centre projects previously funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund, by engaging eligible non-profit making organisations under service contracts to operate the 22 Recycling Stores, and devoting additional resources to enhance the services to cover all 18 districts. For more information about the GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling network (namely the Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots), please visit www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/community/crn_intro.htm or download the "Waste Less" Mobile App to search for collection points and other recycling tips.

     To further promote waste reduction and recycling, the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) and the EPD jointly launched the "Reduce and Recycle 2.0" Campaign. A new TV Announcement in the Public Interest (API) with the theme "Save More, Recycle More" was premiered today. The mascot Big Waster and Greeny, the new ambassador for recycling, sing a song together to share recycling information and remind members of the public that the community recycling network is capable of receiving a variety of recyclables. The API has been uploaded onto the Facebook pages of Big Waster, and the ECC and will be launched today on various TV and radio channels.

Ends/Monday, February 8, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:27

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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing (centre), today (February 8) introduces the new community recycling network at "GREEN@WALLED CITY", a Recycling Store of the Environmental Protection Department. Mr Wong is shown demonstrating the GREEN$ smart card under the GREEN$ electronic participation incentive scheme with the Deputy Directors of Environmental Protection, Mrs Millie Ng (left), and Mr Bruno Luk (right).

The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing (first left), introduces the new community recycling network at "GREEN@WALLED CITY", a Recycling Store of the Environmental Protection Department. Mr Wong is shown utilising the recycling facilities inside the store with the Deputy Directors of Environmental Protection, Mrs Millie Ng (second left), and Mr Bruno Luk (second right).

Recyclables collected by Recycling Store operators are properly treated by downstream recyclers approved by the Environmental Protection Department. Photo shows collected recyclables turned into resources.