Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Hong Kong recycling outlets are trying to encourage residents to reduce waste. To do this, they may extend their operating hours over the summer and give out supermarket vouchers.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said these measures were part of efforts to bring the recycling rate up from 32 to 35 per cent.
The proposals included extending opening times for Green@Community outlets by three hours in July and August. It would also make sure that residents could do more with the promotion points they earn by recycling.
“Currently, residents can use their points to redeem cooking oil, instant noodles and towels, but we have received a lot of feedback that the variety is not sufficient,” Tse said. He added that he hopes to help residents benefit more from their points.
The bureau operates 87 Green@Community stations and stores, which collect nine types of recyclable materials.
Tse said the Environment and Ecology Bureau was calculating the cost of such proposals. He believes these plans could boost the city’s recycling rate. Tse also said the bureau was looking at how to expand the recycling of materials by working with the rest of the Greater Bay Area.
Quiz time
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Why might Hong Kong recycling outlets operate for longer hours over the summer?
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What is the recycling rate that Hong Kong authorities are aiming for?
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How do authorities plan to improve the recycling rate?
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Currently, what can residents do with their points from recycling?
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How could the Greater Bay Area help with Hong Kong’s waste?
Suggested answers
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It is part of efforts to encourage residents to reduce waste.
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35 per cent
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It is extending opening times for Green@Community outlets by three hours in July and August and ensuring that residents could do more with the promotion points they earn by recycling.
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Residents can use their points to redeem cooking oil, instant noodles and towels.
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The rest of the Greater Bay Area could help Hong Kong expand their recycling.
