How easy is recycling in Hong Kong? A Post reporter puts green lifestyle to the test
- Reporter collects up all his recyclable waste for one week to figure out what it takes to stop plastics going straight into the bin
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Hongkongers are urged to recycle more, but is the government doing enough to help?
The government is in the middle of a push to encourage residents to recycle, but just how easy is it to stop plastics and other items from going straight into the bin in a city such as Hong Kong?
Official figures show the city’s recycling rate stood at 32 per cent in 2022.
Local authorities in the years since then have renewed efforts to encourage the public to recycle more, even as the government last month opted to shelve a controversial waste-charging scheme originally slated to launch in August.
Green groups this week said that while many Hongkongers had basic recycling knowledge and habits, the focus on convenience and lack of legislative “sticks” meant they had no incentive to take things a step further.
Like many in Hong Kong who live in cramped flats, the reporter relied on takeaway for about 90 per cent of his meals. The nearest recycling point was a mobile collection station that is only available once a week.
