Cleaning volunteer sparks online debate over selling found items

A cleaning volunteer has ignited an online debate after revealing plans to sell items he found while cleaning at the High Island Reservoir East Dam. 

The discussion began when a netizen posted on the social media platform Threads, sharing that in early January, he discovered relatively new smart glasses on the ground at the East Dam. He noted that the glasses were valued at HK$5,500 new, with secondhand versions selling for around HK$4,000.

The volunteer expressed his intention to sell the glasses and use the proceeds to purchase tools for his cleanup efforts. 

This proposal received mixed reactions from other users. Some supported his decision, arguing that the items were effectively rubbish and that selling them to fund further volunteer work was akin to generating good karma.

However, dissenting voices raised concerns about the potential legal implications. They suggested that the glasses might be lost property left by hikers and that selling them without reporting could lead to legal consequences. They urged the volunteer to report the find to the police, especially since he had already posted about it online.

In response, the volunteer stated he was not concerned about potential reports to the police, believing that such cases were unlikely to be pursued. He explained his decision to post about the find online as a way to share his enjoyment of cleaning up and to discuss an interesting experience. He emphasized that he considered the item to be rubbish, regardless of its value, and that taking every found item to the police would be impractical.

Barrister Albert Luk Wai-hung weighed in on the matter, clarifying that failing to report found items could constitute theft, potentially punishable by up to ten years in prison. He explained that whether or not the smart glasses could be considered rubbish depended on both their value and the location where they were found. 

Luk pointed out that although the East Dam trail passes several refuse collection points, the area itself is not typically regarded as a place where rubbish accumulates, and the high value of the glasses suggests they were likely left behind by hikers.

Luk advised the netizen to turn the glasses over to the police. He noted that if the item remains unclaimed after three months, it could legally be returned to the finder.