The "Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter," which aimed to promote recycling in private residential estates, has seen substantial success since its launch one year ago, according to the environmental chief.
Writing in his blog, Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said that approximately 900 properties have signed the Charter -- covering more than 760,000 households -- accounting for 60 percent of the residents in large private housing estates in the city.
Participating housing estates have not only set up recycling facilities, but also arranged for reliable recyclers to properly handle the recyclable materials.
They have regularly announced recycling data to residents and submitted records to the Environmental Protection Department, boosting residents' motivation and confidence in participating in waste reduction and recycling, Tse wrote.
He stated that the Charter has also encouraged and promoted estates to introduce less common recycling collection facilities, with many adding bins for beverage cartons and food waste.
Amid increasingly complex global dynamics, Tse pointed out that some countries and regions have slowed their environmental protection and carbon reduction efforts.
He said there are still numerous policies and directions that can make a difference. A crucial step in advancing Hong Kong's ecological civilization is to encourage public participation and support for environmental protection.
The environmental chief noted that the Bureau will enhance promotional and educational efforts in housing estates, continuing to provide technical support and consultations, as well as encouraging more private residential estates to join the initiative.
(Khan Heeba Lazmi)
