A lot of mooncake ends up getting wasted as people discard unwanted gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival season. Photos: Internet, Apple Daily
Although Hong Kong people love to give out mooncakes as gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival, most locals are however not enthusiastic about receiving such gifts, a survey has shown.
According to the survey by Green Power, a local environmental organization, 68 percent of families would choose mooncakes to convey good wishes to friends and relatives during the festival.
But 69 percent said they themselves would not like to receive mooncakes as gifts, Apple Daily reported.
Mooncake is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is offered among friends or during family gatherings while celebrating the festival.
In the latest survey by Green Power, interviewees said there are other ways to show one’s gratitude.
A majority of the respondents said they would appreciate more if they were given other treats, like a dinner, rather than mooncake gifts.
Companionship to enjoy the full moon would also be preferred, instead of the usual gifts, they said.
Green Power has since 2004 regularly carried out consumption habit surveys during the mid-Autumn festival season.
According to the latest survey, a family consumes 8.31 mooncakes and throws away 0.76 cake on average. Although the second figure is close to a historic low, it still means that about 1.85 million cakes are thrown away in the city every year, Green Power said.
Henry Lui Tak-hang, senior conservation manager at Green Power, said Hong Kong people tend to follow tradition to send out mooncakes to show courtesy to friends and family.
He suggested that people should draw up a list of potential gift recipients and ask those parties whether they would really like to receive mooncakes.
That will prevent unwanted gifts and help reduce wastage, Lui pointed out.
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