EPD launches Packaging Reduction Charter with over 100 businesses pledging to reduce packaging (with photos)
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The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, officiated at the launching ceremony today (March 31). In his speech, he highlighted that while packaging plays a crucial role in protecting products during transportation, most packaging materials are discarded after a single or limited use, placing a significant burden on the environment.
He stated, "The launch of the Packaging Reduction Charter aims to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable packaging reduction practices, including reviewing their packaging designs to minimise unnecessary material usage, enhancing the recyclability and reusability of their packaging, as well as exploring innovative solutions. These efforts not only alleviate the pressure on landfills, but also help businesses fulfil their social responsibilities, contributing to Hong Kong's long-term goals of 'zero landfill' and carbon neutrality."
Signatory companies to the Charter undertake to submit to the EPD their annual total packaging material usage, implement measures to reduce packaging or adopt sustainable packaging solutions, as well as encourage their upstream and downstream suppliers, business partners and customers to reduce packaging materials and enhance packaging management.
To assist businesses in packaging reduction and management, the EPD has published the Practical Guides on Packaging Reduction and Management (Practical Guides) for eight specific sectors (Note) on its website. The EPD has also conducted briefing sessions for relevant trades and will closely monitor their progress in packaging reduction.
The Packaging Reduction Charter also serves as a platform for knowledge exchanges and collaboration, enabling businesses to connect and share experiences through various activities, promote industry partnerships, and drive innovation in developing efficient and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Furthermore, the initiative will assist local businesses in preparing relevant data to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting requirements on product packaging.
Details of the Packaging Reduction Charter and the Practical Guides are available on the Hong Kong Waste Reduction website: www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk. For enquiries, please contact the Charter's Secretariat at 5279 1936 or by email to lesspackagingcharter@bec.org.hk.
Note: The eight specific sectors covered by the Practical Guides are supermarkets and grocery stores, logistics, e-commerce, hotel and hospitality, electronics and electrical appliances, beverage manufacturing, food manufacturing, and importers.
Ends/Monday, March 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:20
Issued at HKT 18:20
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