“Countryside Cleanup 2023″ is the latest programme organized by Green Sense.

To tackle the problem of countryside plastic pollution, participants are not only going to clean up the plastic pollution spots, but also implemeting “Reuse”, “Recycle” & “Reduce” the single-use plastics.

Each local Non-Governmental Organizations or Charity Institutions are free to apply one 3-hour activity. Countryside cleanup, waste audit, transportation and tools are included.

If applicants are not able to arrange outdoor activities, cleanup ambassadors can be assigned to speak at venue provided by school or organization for 1 hour. The sharing session covers plastic waste problem, cleanup and green living experiences, as well as green hiking etiquettes.

Photos and video recording may be included. Participants should fill in the post-event questionnaires and pledge for Green Living.

The last event day of the Programme is 31 August 2023. 20 beneficiary group will be determined on a first come first served basis. Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email with activity details after 5 working days. Please contact 8100 4877 for any details.

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/6vstYdHbjzXXpcra6

This programme is sponsored by Overlook Investments Limited.

Quota: 25 (For Ethnic minorities and Chinese who lives, studies or works in the Sham Shui Po District)

The DIY workshops are Free of charge. The details are in the following:

Turning old clothings into hair band
Date: 22 July 2022 (Fri)
Time: 15:30-17:30

Turning old clothings into drinks take-out bag

Date: 19 August 2022 (Fri)
Time: 15:30-17:30

Registration: https://forms.gle/zghsUcg1YFB7Gx1x5

Remark: Participants should prepare a used cotton clothing, the teaching materials will be sent by local mail.

The teaching materials are in bilingual (Chinese and English) on a first come first served basis, while stocks last.

Successful applicants will receive confirmation email in 5 working days.

Green Sense will announce the updates of the workshop on the website; participants will also be informed by email or phone call.

【Only a few seats left! Register NOW 】
Turning old clothings into drinks take-out bag
Date: 11 August 2022 (Thu)
Time: 10:00-12:00
Venue: Hong Kong Christian Service
G/F, Un Lok House, Un Chau Estate, Shamshuipo, Kowloon
Quota: 10 (For Ethnic minorities and Chinese who lives, studies or works in the Sham Shui Po District)

Registration: https://bit.ly/3z63Z4I

Remark: Participants should prepare a used cotton clothing, the teaching materials will be distributed on that day. The teaching materials are in biliingual (Chinese and English).

Successful applicants will receive confirmation email in 5 working days
Green Sense will announce the updates of workshop on website; participant will also be informed by email or phone call.

We are looking for suitable candidates who are passionate in Waste reduction and Environmental Education to join our team.

Job Duties

• Mainly be responsible for Municipal Solid Waste Charging Trial Programme and related activities
• Assisting online and face-to-face events such as DIY workshop and seminar/webinar
• Handling online promotion such as maintaining website, social media platforms and advertising
• Communicating with the Government departments, public and private sectors, schools, other NGOs & the public members
• Supporting events at night, on weekends and outdoor occasionally

Requirements

• 2 years working experience are desired
• Tertiary education graduate in relevant field such as Geography, Environmental Science or other related fields
• Basic skill in popular graphic software (e.g. Photoshop or illustrator) is an advantage
• Good communication skills
• Able to work independently
• Immediate available is highly considered

Green Sense conducted a survey regarding the packaging of local online shopping in May to June 2021. 17 on-street survey and recycling station were set up.  209 entries were collected from the station and online. This survey is to study the current online shopping habit of Hong Kong citizens, the amount of packaging materials stemmed from online shopping, and post-consumption action taken. Measurements were taken in the station, in order to find out the adhesive tape usage in online shopping. The key findings are listed in the following:

1. Over-packaging is more severe, with weaken awareness in general
   Summing up 828 items purchased, 1441 pieces of packings were used. the average packing materials used was 2.32, 6% increased compared to 2.18 pieces in 2020. The worst case was 9.5 units of packaging materials used for one item. At the same time, only 35% respondents agreed their merchandises were severly over-packaged. A decrease in 16% was remarkable. (51% shared the same view in 2020).
2. Merchandises are wrapped in mixed materials which is hard to recycle
   Single online purchase used 2.71 different materials for packaging in average. 26.5% interviewee stated there were at least 4 types of packaging materials used in their orders. To the extreme, 9 different materials were found, including carton box, bubble wrap, delivery plastic bag, adhesive tape, honeycomb bubble bag, foam filling, air bag, wrapping paper and newspaper. Distinguishing recyclable materials would not be easy for citizens when an array of different packaging materials came at once. Some respondents used to think only paper is recyclable, other materials were trashed instead of being recycled.
3. The abuse of Adhesive tapes were common
   49 samples were taken to measure the use of adhesive tapes and the dimension of carton boxes. 24 of them were used more than 2.5 times in a ratio of the length of the tape used to the box dimension. Areas away from the edge were covered by adhesive tape.
4. Respondents hope online shops can reduce unnecessary packagings
   Over 70% of the respondents hope online shops can reduce unnecessary packagings. At least 46% respondents opted for other environmental-friendly means: Select recyclable materials for packaging, use recycled materials for packaging, recycle and reuse pre-owned packagings. Some of them wished the recycling point can set up at the retail stores and delivery collection point.

This project includes Talks & Workshops and Recycle Education Street Counter. We aim to promote Green Living and facilitate cultural inclusion of ethnic minorities, and to provide opportunities for citizens to take part in diversified waste reduction activities. Green Sense is now organizing workshops to educate citizens on clean recycling, reducing waste at source and reusing waste. Artwork design and cleaning can be implemented in a more environmental-friendly manner. Furthermore, Recycle Education Street Counter will be held in Sham Shui Po District to promote daily waste reduction, recycling map of Sham Shui Po and recycling skills.

Enroll now：https://bit.ly/2U5B3ta

Talks & Workshops
Quota：20    Free of charge
**A deposit is required in advance, it is fully refundable on attendance of workshop.
 

1. Natural Tie-Dye Workshop
Date：26/8/2021（Thursday）
Time：15:30-18:00
Venue：Lai Chi Kok Community Hall Conference Room
Activity Content：Teach participants to utilize natural ingredients for tie-dye, hence achieving waste reduction and add more vibrant colours to life.
 
2. Henna Workshop
Date：1/9/2021（Wednesday）
Time：14:30-17:00
Venue：Mei Foo Community Hall Conference Room
Activity Content：Invite Henna tutor to introduce its origin, natural ingredients and meaning, hoping to facilitate cultural inclusion through the sharing of distinctive art.
 
3. Henna Workshop
Date：8/9/2021（Wednesday）
Time：14:30-17:00
Venue：Nam Cheong District Community Centre
Activity Content：Invite Henna tutor to introduce its origin, natural ingredients and meaning, hoping to facilitate cultural inclusion through the sharing of distinctive art.
 
4.  Eco-enzyme Workshop
Date：14/9/2021（Tuesday）
Time：14:30-17:00
Venue：Lai Chi Kok Community Hall Conference Room
Remark：Participant need to bring along a clean plastic bottle (~500mL) as container
Activity Content：Learn to make natural eco-enzyme detergent with food waste, participants can bring home their own finished product.
 

Recycle Education Street Counter
Content：Promote daily waste reduction, recycling map of Sham Shui Po and recycling skills
An eco-friendly soap as souvenir will be given after listening

(First-come-first served basis while stocks last)

#Should there be any influences under prohibition on group gathering, pandemic or any other social events, Green Sense will announce the updates of workshop on website; participant will also be informed by email or phone call.
 

Three Paper Two Plastics

China, Hong Kong SAR government emphasized on educating the public to recycle the clean “Three Paper Two plastics” into household, workplace and roadside recycling system respectively. “Three paper” indicates cardboard, newspaper and office paper, while “Two Plastics” indicated beverage plastic bottles and personal care product plastic bottles. Accordingly, the usual recycling bins that appeared on roadside and estates could only accept “Three Paper and Two Plastics” (except the estates participated in the Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme).

Image 1: “Three Paper Two Plastics” (Three Paper: Newspaper, Office Paper and Cardboard). Source: Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website [2]

Image 2: “Three Paper Two Plastics” (Two plastics: Beverage plastic bottles and Personal care product plastic bottles). Source: Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website [2]

Other plastics except the “Two Plastics”

Apart from the “Two plastics” mentioned above, there are generally seven types of plastics, in which six of them could be recycled:

• No.1 (PET)*: Beverage Bottle Lid, Plastic Cup etc., where a concave and big dot could be found on the bottom of the bottle.
• No.2*: Laundry Soap, Laundry Softener, Shower Gel Bottle etc., where a horizontal interface could be found on the bottom of the bottle.
• No.3 (PVC): Cling Wrap, Raincoat etc. This type of plastic will release harmful chemicals when it encounters combustion. There is currently a lack of technology in treating this type of plastic in Hong Kong.
• No.4 (LDPE): Plastic Bag with handle, Tissue Bag, Fruit Net, Bubble Wrap
• No.5 (PP): Microwaved Food Container, Bottle Lid, Transparent Bag
• No.6 (PS): CD Case, Yakult Bottle, Polyfoam, Plastic Cup Lid (Translucent)
• No.7: CD, Acrylic, Polycarbonate PC, Resin Cutlery

*Bottle Lid and Label belongs to different types of plastics, and therefore separate recycling is required.

Public and citizens may visit “Community Green Stations” (CGS) for recycling the plastics listed above (No.1-No.7, excluding No.3 & Polyfoam).

For detail of CGS, please visit: https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/community/cgs_intro.htm

Polyfoam

Polyfoam is commonly utilized for single use food container, filler of the packaging etc. In spite of the wide variety of distinct polyfoam, a lot of them could be recycled. For example:

• Disposable food container (Rinse out food and oil stain before recycling)
• Polyfoam Packaging Box
• Foam Fruit Net
• Packaging Buffer/ Polyfoam EPS Board
• Packing peanuts and Filler

The collected polyfoam will be compressed and go through a number of recycling processes, eventually transformed into recycled PS/ PE materials.

Details of Polyfoam recycling stations, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/polyfoamrecyclinghk/

Image 3: Diagram for distinguishing Recyclable and Non-recyclable Polyfoam. Source: Polyfoam Recycling Scheme

Paper Package Drinks Recycling

In 2018, the daily average of carton-boxes disposal amount was 67 tonne in Hong Kong [3]. Many have misunderstood that paper-packaged drinks cannot be recycled, which, in reality, they could be recycled!

Simple steps to recycling paper-packaged drinks:

• Step 1: remove plastic straw and wrapping
• Step 2: Cut and flatten the carton
• Step 3: Rinse with water*
• Step 4: Place into recycling sites:  MilMill recycling stations**

* Before recycling, it is important to clean the cartons with water. If the cartons are contaminated, mould may develop in the processing stage, rendering the recycled material spoiled garbage.

**For more paper-packaged drinks carton collection points, please visit Mil Mill’s collection point map:  bit.ly/MilMillMap

Image 4. A Guide to Recycling Paper Packaged Drinks

More details about Green Sense Charity Event: Drink Carton Boxes Recycling Programme, please visit: http://greensense.org.hk/en/?p=5575

Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme

The Environmental Protection Department has initiated the Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme early on in January of 2020, with an aim to expand the category of existing recyclables and increase the numbers of recycling facilities, so as to prepare the rising number of recyclables in Hong Kong in the future. The two-year Pilot scheme is rolled out through which contractors are engaged under service contracts to provide free collection service for waste plastics from registered premises for non-commercial and non-industrial sources such as public and private housing estates, schools and public institutions, Community Recycling Centres and CGSs in the districts [4].

A wide range of recyclables can be collected under the Pilot Scheme, including plastic bags (e.g. carrier bags, rice bags, plastic packaging bags), plastic containers (e.g. plastic bottles, plastic buckets, plastic boxes, microwave containers, yogurt cups, tofu boxes), polyfoam (e.g. fruit nets, polyfoam boxes, protective polyfoam materials), plastic tableware, plastic straws, CDs, bubble wraps and other plastic packaging materials [4].

The contractor – Success Grand Environmental Limited will undertake the Pilot Scheme in Eastern District that have progressively commenced since late January 2020, while the pilot scheme in Kwun Tong and Sha Tin districts are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2020.  Take Success Grand Environmental Limited as an example, the contractor will allocate the collected recyclable plastics from over 70 collection points in Eastern District to Yuen Long Recycling Centre [5]. The recyclable plastics are undergoing further process such as sorting, crashing and granulating into plastic raw materials or recycled plastic products. They will be exported or supplied to the local and overseas market so as to ensure that the waste plastics collected are properly handled.

Image 5: Different types of recyclable plastics under the Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme. Source: The Environmental Protection Department

Image 6: The Recycling Bin under the Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme

The Public and private estates that have in the pilot scheme are able to recycle plastics and polyfoam with No.1-2, 4-7 in the designated collection bins.

The collection points in Eastern district are listed here: https://eastern.successgrand.com.hk/recycleBin.html

As the pilot scheme in Kwun Tong and Sha Tin district will be launched in the third quarter of 2020, and therefore, we recommend citizens whom lives in district that is not involved in pilot scheme could recycle in the CGS nearby.

Where do the plastics go?

References

1. Green Sense (2020), <Online Purchase Packaging Survey 2020>, http://greensense.org.hk/en/?p=5679
2. The Environmental Protection Department (2018), The Environmental Protection Department: “Three Paper Two Plastics”, https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/wrp/recycling/paper_plastic_poster_en.html
3. The Environmental Protection Department (2019), “Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong”, https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/sites/default/files/msw2018.pdf
4. The Environmental Protection Department (2020), Plastic Recycling Pilot Scheme, https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/pilot_scheme_collect_recycle_plastics.htm
5. HK01.com (2020), 《東區首試中央收膠　承辦商月收逾十噸廢膠　最怕廚餘棄回收箱》, https://bit.ly/3fZlisV  (Chinese only)

]]> http://greensense.org.hk/en/2020/07/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%8f%af%e5%9b%9e%e6%94%b6%e7%89%a9%e8%b3%87%e8%a8%8a%e6%95%b4%e5%90%88/feed/ 0 http://greensense.org.hk/en/2020/07/ytm/ http://greensense.org.hk/en/2020/07/ytm/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2020 09:22:40 +0000 editor http://greensense.org.hk/?p=5806 Green Living in Yau Tsim Mong 2020 is coming again!

Due to the improving pandemic situation, “Green Living in Yau Tsim Mong 2020″ will be resumed in late Sept. Green living education counters and green workshop will be organized in order to promote the importance of green living and educate people how to reduce waste at sources. This project is sponsored by Yau Tsim Mong District Council.

What are you waiting for? Let’s join the activities together!

Green Living education counters

Brief introduction about clean and proper recycling as well as waste reduction at sources will be provided. Handmade soap will be delivered to people who visits the counters. Besides, Yau Tsim Mong District’s residents can register for the green workshop at the counters too. Buy less over-packaging items and start living green!

Date: 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 30 Sept. 2020 (6 days)

Time: 2:30-5:30pm

Venue: Public pavement of Public Square Street outside Prosperous Garden, Yau Ma Tei

Green workshop

The green workshop aims at educating participants to cultivate the habit of upcycling. To join the workshop, please fill in the online registration form. Enrollment is on first-come-first-served basis.

Date: 7 Oct. 2020 (Wed)

Time: 2:30-4:30pm

Venue: Classroom, 3/F, Henry G Leong Yau Ma Tei Community Centre, Yau Ma Tei

Capacity: 20# (or align with the public gathering limit)

Fee: $20

Theme: Organic Gardening Workshop

Foods we find in markets nowadays are often loaded with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Negative impacts include its damage on our health, as well as its disruption against our natural environment. As the pandemic stretches onwards, what better way to spend our time and ensure a healthy food source than organic gardening? Organic gardening is good for the environment as it requires no synthetic chemicals, and fully relies on the natural interactions between the plant and the natural environment. A greener and less waste alternative for gardening can put into action in this afternoon workshop!

ENROLL NOW http://bit.ly/YTMGS2020

For other enquiry, please contact Ms. Ho at 8100 4877.

#Event may be cancelled from the government’s restriction on social gatherings, worsening of the pandemic or other social incidents. Participants will be notified via email and phone if changes to events are made.

The first Action for Cleanup the Countryside have been successfully held on 6 May 2018. Green Sense fellows with 34 volunteers went to Po Toi Island to clean up the waste and carry out an ecotour at the same time. The main purpose of the event is to arouse the public concerns of plastic waste problems and increase their awareness of environmental protection. Moreover, it is important to introduce the biodiversity in Hong Kong to the public and to understand the importance of our countryside.

It was a sunny Sunday. All volunteers gathered at Blake Pier, Stanley. Before taking the ferry to Po Toi Island, our tour guide explained safety concerns and eco-friendly hiking etiquette.

After arrival, many of us can immediately felt the peace and comfort of the natural environment. We were refreshed! We passed through some old stores and a diesel-electric set. We experienced their simple and austere lifestyle.

After passing the areas of residents, we visited to Po Toi School. Some volunteers were eager to clear the rubbish on the path right away. Po Toi School is a building with historical value. It reflected how was the school life in the past. Although it has been abandoned for decades, its structure maintains and we can even peek at the classroom through a broken window.

Walking along the coast, we arrived the Po Toi Rock Carvings which constructed over 3000 years. It is one of the declared monuments in Hong Kong. It consists two parts: One group on the left consists of lines resembling, while the other on the right is composed of spirals in an interlocking arrangement. Many of us spent a lot of time in taking photos with the carve. We were amazed the crave stood in good shape.

Volunteers started to clean the island. They were separated into two groups: One going uphill cleaning hiking trail and and the other for the coastal area. Many garbage was buried in the bush as Po Toi Island is a famous place for camping. Moreover, a lot of disposables were left there. For example, foam boxes, disposable utensils, aluminium cans, plastic bags and even LPG cylinders! The most difficult part for us is to collect a considerable amount of the “foam balls” which were naturally grind into different sizes. Even though it was hard to collecting the rubbish in high temperature, we were devoted to do so. All of us are willing to do more to compensate for the environment, and to protect the Earth.

After cleaning the island for a whole day,  volunteers carried bags of waste and head to the pier after the waste audit. Plastic disposables account for the most. The amount of waste collected are shown below:

Fortunately, some tourists were touched by our action and some of them promised to reduce the waste and minimize the pollution in the future . Public education are exactly means to influence the community altogether . All of us should set an example for our next generation by taking action in environmental protection.

If you have missed the volunteer action in May, please enroll the next”Action for Cleanup the Countryside ” at Tung Chung Bay on 12th August. Please click https://goo.gl/rDKwVP for enrollment and information.

The importance of  “Green Christmas” are widely spread for years. Other than supporting Green practices in Christmas, the green tips should be applied in daily life:

1. Do not be a “Big waster”
• Prepare appropriate amount of food
• Cook it yourself and avoid having buffet
• Choose low carbon diet: Less meat and more vegetables
• Use less or reuse aluminium tray
• Prepare reusable utensils and refuse using disposable plastic tablecloth
• Separate food and waste from recyclables
2. Consume less and be creative
• Reuse Christmas tree and decorations every year and DIY decorations with waste
• Use magazine paper or used gift wrapping paper
• Do not use party confetti spray and foam snow spray
• Exchange unused stuff through second-hand platform,  or donate to those in need
• Beware of  ”free” “eco-friendly” gift, they may not be truly environmentally friendly!
3. Join activities and workshops held by social enterprises or green groups
• Support up-cycling products and local handicraft
• Strengthen social connection and know more about the community

For more information, please go to Green Christmas website http://greensense.org.hk/gxmas.
Remember to reduce, reuse and recycle. Wish you all a Happy Green Christmas!

Pollution is severe in Southwest Fan Lau and Kau Ling Chung Beach in Lantau

Government measures should be announced to prevent the reflux of refuse

Recently large amount of garbage from mainland was driven to Hong Kong and was brought to the beaches. After the report from media, residents have paid more attention to the problem of marine refuse.

Member from Green Sense did an inspection in the Southwest Fan Lau and Kau Ling Chung Beach on 10 July. These two places and the mangrove in Shui Hau are located on the south coast of Lantau Island, which suffers from the problem of marine refuse. In the report ”Investigation on the Sources and Fates of Marine Refuse in Hong Kong” published in April 2015 by Environmental Protection Department, Fan Lau and the mangrove in Shui Hau are both classified as priority areas. Green Sense believes that the problem in Shui Hau would be followed up after the visit and cleaning by the government officials. However, Fan Lau and Kau Ling Chung Beach are remote areas and can only be reached by rough paths, which make the cleaning a bigger challenge. The Government should not ignore the problem of marine refuse in the areas. Green Sense would also report the situation to Government departments.

“The government should announce the measures, and provide more resources on cleaning marine refuse, in order to prevent the reflux of garbage back into the ocean. The government should also negotiate with the Chinese government on the proper waste management, in preventing the impact to the marine ecology and the environment. ”said Roy Tam, Chief Executive (Voluntary) of Green Sense. Tam thinks that manpower and marine refuse would need to be transported through waterway at places like Fan Lau and Kau Ling Chung, therefore more attention is needed to the arrangement of the cleaning by the government.

Marine refuse is one of the problems that no one should ignore, we should be responsible to protect the environment. Green Sense appeals to you all for reducing consumption and wastage, in order to provide a livable environment for our next generation.

Click here for more photos on the day of inspection