By Laurel Chor August 5, 2015 / 11:57 HKT
We didn’t really need to come acrossindividually packaged Coke cans to know that Hong Kong had a waste problem, but we thank Wellcome for the reminder.
The Hong Kong government is trying to change that, with the Environment Bureau announcing the launch of the Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund on Monday.
The committee’s job is to manage the HKD1-billion-dollar Recycling Fund, which aims to “promote the recovery and recycling of waste by assisting the recycling industry to upgrade its operational capabilities and efficiency for sustainable development”.
The committee will be chaired by Jimmy Kwok, with all members appointed by the Secretary of the Environment.
"In view of the imminent waste challenge, we aim to promote the effective operation and sustainable development of the recycling industry to enhance waste recycling and reduce disposal at landfills, which is vital to the overall waste management policy in Hong Kong,’ said Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing.
According to a 2013 governmentreport, Hong Kong people each produce 1.36 kilos of waste a day. Compare that to Taiwan, where people produce one kilo of garbage a day, or Toyko, which produces 0.77 kilos per capita per day.
Let’s hope HKD1 billion is enough.
Photo: Laruse Junior via Flickr
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2015/08/05/government-launches-committee-manage-new-hkd1-billion-recycling-fund
