The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (October 2) appealed to members of the public to keep places clean and tidy, not to burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
   
     "To ensure the enjoyment of the festivity in a good environment, we are appealing to members of the public not to burn or melt wax, and not to sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax. Candles should be placed in metal or non-flammable containers for collecting the melted wax and disposing of it in litter bins after the containers have cooled," a spokesman for the LCSD said.
 
     "Moreover, members of the public should not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. Do not fly sky lanterns, which may cause injury to yourself or others, or damage to property and facilities."
   
     The spokesman also said that to ensure that the public can celebrate the festival in a clean and safe environment, the LCSD will deploy staff to step up patrols at its venues (including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites) on October 6 and take enforcement actions against littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns.
 
     Members of the public may call the LCSD hotline 2414 5555 to report any non-compliance found at LCSD venues.
   
     Under the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax; sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax; damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant; or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons or other devices (including sky lanterns). Under the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act that is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any convicted person is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' imprisonment.
   
     The LCSD will issue to littering offenders a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $3,000. Persons who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns may be prosecuted.

Ends/Thursday, October 2, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:00

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