MTR promotes sustainability in its shopping malls in collaboration with local green forces

A staunch supporter of sustainability, MTR Corporation has stepped up its green efforts this summer with the first-ever collaborative campaign with local green collectives by creating a ‘Summer Ecoland’ in four MTR malls, namely, Maritime Square, Telford Plaza, PopCorn and The LOHAS.

“MTR Corporation has always been committed to the concepts of ESG and sustainability as seen in the wide range of eco-friendly and energy conservation facilities installed and the complementary measures implemented,” shares Kenneth Lung, General Manager of Investment Property of MTR Corporation, “At the same time, it is determined to play its part in the city’s overall environmental protection efforts by promoting low-carbon living and a green lifestyle among its many commuters. The green campaign this summer takes the form of upcycled installations, green-themed exhibitions, performances, workshops, and more, which are designed to bring home the concept of sustainability into communities across the city.”

Maritime Square – Tsing Yi

In collaboration with Dreamcubics and &dear, Maritime Square is now giving plastic waste a new lease of life by upcycling them into a dreamy aquatic world. Populated by a giant 6-meter-long whale and other marine animals such as turtles, penguins and manta birostris, the underwater world draws public attention to the vexing problem of plastic pollution in Hong Kong.

“By creating this eye-catching, instagrammable exhibit, we hope the general public gets to appreciate that recycled rubbish is utilizable,” shares Quenton Lee, Executive Director of Dreamcubics, “Take the giant whale as an example, it was upcycled from plastic bottles – the washed ones, of course. After spending a month’s time collecting some 2,500 plastic bottles, we smashed them and used a 3D printer to produce triangular plastic sheets of varying sizes. The whole recycling and production project took more than 500 hours.”

“We certainly hope that our efforts would stimulate wider awareness in the community of the importance of recycling and green living practices, and that each and every one of us can contribute to the worthy cause,” he added.

The LOHAS – LOHAS Park

To promote ecological equilibrium and biodiversity, The LOHAS has enlisted the help of EDITECTURE, HK Timberbank, and Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum to present the “Nature at a Glance” exhibition in the form of giant installations and insect specimens. Using upcycled plastic bottles and yard waste, a ubiquitous scene of Sai Kung, widely acknowledged as Hong Kong’s back garden, is now realized with two Orange Tiger butterflies fluttering around a branch of rose myrtle. Alongside are over 100 native specimens in Hong Kong to promote the message of ecological equilibrium.

“Ecology suffers from urban development. We hope the general public understands that we need nature, and we need to re-build it for a better, sustainable living,” says Ricci Wong, founder of HK Timberland. “Sai Kung is an area that definitely needs protection, that’s why we chose its ecological environment as our main focus.”

“Do we want the next generation to be swimming alongside fish or plastic bottles?” asks Jacqueline Chak, founder of EDITECTURE, “By taking the lead, MTR has effectively reinforced the sustainability message by combining the voices of many collaborators.”

“Exhibiting in a mall gets our message across much better than in a university museum with limited space,” adds Benoit Guenard, director of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum, “It’s a great opportunity for the public to get to know insects better and the essential role they play in the cycle of nature.”

Aside from this ‘Summer Ecoland’ campaign, the MTR Malls are also organizing an array of happenings in August, including music performances using instruments made with upcycled materials, upcycling workshops, and live demonstrations of the mobile waste grinder. What’s more, selected MTR Malls are now rolling out a “Happy Perk Days” lucky draw between June and August. Shoppers with HK$200 or above same-day spending will have a chance to strike gold in the lucky draw. As for foodies, you shouldn’t miss the “Happy Taste Buds” campaign where 100,000 dining coupons will be distributed, totaling HK$5 million in total.