The community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY under the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has received positive feedback from the public since its rebranding at the end of 2020. In addition to boosting significantly the quantity of recyclables collected, the recycling facilities have won various regional design awards. The EPD will continue to expand the network, step up publicity and facilitate public participation in clean recycling, with a view to preparing for the implementation of municipal solid waste charging.
 
     The rebranded GREEN@COMMUNITY features the word "green", which sounds the same as "six" in Cantonese. Currently, there are 11 Recycling Stations, 22 Recycling Stores, and more than 100 Recycling Spots that operate weekly as mobile recycling points at fixed locations and times across the territory. The network receives at least eight types of recyclables and runs the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme. A new batch of 10 Recycling Stores is also in the pipeline, with services expected to commence gradually in the first half of 2022.
 
     A spokesman for the EPD said, "The new-generation community recycling network has broadened the spectrum of people who participate in clean recycling, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the facilities every month. The quantity of recyclables collected by the Recycling Stores has far exceeded that of the previous community recycling centres, with the average monthly quantity in 2021 being more than four times greater than that of 2020. The GREEN$ Electronic Participation Scheme has issued more than 110 000 smart cards that can be used in over 100 recycling points of GREEN@COMMUNITY. We launched the brand-new GREEN$ mobile application on January 6, allowing the public to register as members of the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Scheme with their smartphones to further promote the city's participation in clean recycling."
 
     The members of GREEN$ Electronic Participation Scheme can choose to use their GREEN$ smart card or the new mobile app to earn reward points to redeem gifts when dropping off their recyclables at the Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots. Members of the public can download the GREEN$ mobile application at www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/Greenycoins_Mobile_Application.htm.
 
     The design of the Recycling Stores is known for its simplicity and, on the first anniversary of the Recycling Stores' opening, won the top accolade of the DFA Design for Asia Awards organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre last December in recognition of the excellent design. The DFA Design for Asia Awards, with an 18-year history, has seen its international influence grow in the Asian design sector.
 
     In addition, two new Recycling Stations, GREEN@WAN CHAI and GREEN@SAI KUNG, commenced services in phases by the end of last year. The architectural design of GREEN@WAN CHAI has won two awards. Apart from the merit award in the Architectural Services Department Annual Award 2021, it also won a Good Design Award 2021 in Japan recently for its integration with the surrounding environment to promote green culture.
 
     To enhance the public's understanding of the community recycling network services, the EPD has carried out extensive promotion and publicity, including adding icons of Recycling Stations and Recycling Stores to the GeoInfo Map and Google Maps. Signage of Big Waster and Greeny (signifying the "Waste Less" and clean recycling messages respectively) and noticeboards showing the service information of Recycling Spots are posted on nearby lampposts. The EPD has further strengthened the publicity and promotion of the enhanced services of the community recycling network on public transportation services and their stations, and encourages members of the public to go to the nearby GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities for recycling.
 
     The EPD's Green Outreach has also conducted outreach work, through on-site guidance and hands-on demonstrations in the community, to carry out various forms of publicity and promotion activities to educate members of the public on source separation of waste and clean recycling, and share with them the latest information on waste reduction and recycling to get them prepared for the implementation of municipal solid waste charging.

Ends/Monday, January 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:05

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