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Recycling and waste reduction

Recycling and waste reduction
Latest news and analysis about the recycling and reduction of waste materials, particularly of plastics, water, paper, metals and e-waste.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Greenpeace campaigners calling for a cut in plastic production at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on October 19. Its survey found that 97 per cent of the waste collected from two ecologically important riverbanks is plastic. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong environmental issues

Opinion | What Hong Kong’s 2023 waste data tells us, and what it doesn’t

The good news of less waste generated is tempered by the lack of clarity on plastic waste statistics and officials’ mistaken faith in incineration as a solution.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Food recycling surges at Hong Kong estates even without waste-charging scheme

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Hong Kong must watch out for dangers of black plastic

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Waste charges in Hong Kong cannot be swept under carpet

Official data suggests Hong Kong’s output of rubbish has peaked thanks to recycling, but environmental groups fear complacency after scrapping of levy.

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan next to a hydrogen-powered street-washing vehicle. Photo: SCMP / Sam Tsang
Climate change

Opinion | Circular economy must be centred in fight against plastic pollution

Instead of pitting recycling and reduction goals against each other, negotiators should consider solutions proven to remediate plastic waste.

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Environment

‘Challenging’: divided plastic pollution negotiators call for more time

Many countries meeting in South Korea had warned that a few nations were obstructing efforts to reach a global agreement on plastic pollution.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Amount of waste Hong Kong generates has peaked, environment minister says

City also threw out nearly 2 billion fewer plastic bags last year compared with 2022, official figures show.

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Discarded items at Sun Tsui Estate in Tai Wan. For the city as a whole, the daily quantity of waste on average last year was 10,884 tonnes, a 2.2 per cent decrease from 2022, and down by 4.2 per cent from 2021.Photo: Eugene Lee
Food and Drinks

If you have this type of spatula, throw it out immediately

Household items made of black recycled plastic could contain dangerous levels of flame retardants and other toxic chemicals, study finds.

Business of climate change

Hong Kong start-up develops AI-powered smart bin to tackle recycling

Green AI’s smart collection bin can sort waste into four categories – plastic bottles , aluminium cans, drinks cartons and general refuse.

Education in Hong Kong

Letters | To fix our technician shortage, change how we teach them

Readers discuss the need for polytechnics and vocational schools, the next steps in waste management, and tackling a ‘giant in geriatrics’ – loneliness.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hung Hom on September 1. Hong Kong Polytechnic was granted university status in 1994. Photo May Tse
Start-ups

What to do with items hard to recycle? Give them to this start-up

In California, Ridwell helps dispose of items that are difficult to recycle, from corks and light bulbs to batteries and plastic bottle caps.

A Ridwell staff member poses with bags of items destined to be recycled. The company gathers hard-to-recycle items for a fee, picking up where city recyclers leave off. Photo: Facebook/Ridwell
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong should do more to pressure producers of single-use plastics: Greenpeace

Group finds plastic made up 97 per cent of rubbish collected in two rivers, with packaging from major drinks brands among most prevalent.

Xi Jinping

China to get first centrally run resource reuse and recycling enterprise

President Xi Jinping calls China Resources Recycling Group, to be set up in Tianjin, a major step towards building a ‘low-carbon economy’.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Do not let Hong Kong’s waste plans simply go to waste

Months after Hong Kong shelved a levy to reduce municipal rubbish, there is still no timetable for reintroducing a better policy.

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Staff of the Green Hung Hom recycling store clear the backlog of waste. Photo: Jelly Tse
Malaysia

EU plastic waste exports to Malaysia soar despite government’s vow to stop influx

The environment minister’s pledge to stop Malaysia from becoming ‘the world’s rubbish bin’ is seemingly undercut by new EU data.

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A worker sorts through plastic waste to recycle in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong firms to face warnings, fines for flouting plastics ban after grace period

Environment chief Tse Chin-wan says errant retailers will be issued warnings on-site and given 10 working days to comply.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Some Hong Kong businesses struggle to replace single-use plastics as ban looms

Although official data shows 95 per cent of businesses in retail and hospitality have made switch, checks on the ground paint more complicated picture.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong won’t use stock of special rubbish bags for any future waste charging

Public housing residents told free plastic bags will not be used in any future programme, but 60 million remain.

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A banner promoting the waste-charging scheme in Chai Wan. The government shelved the controversial waste-charging scheme in May after wide public opposition. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
ExxonMobil

California sues oil giant Exxon over global plastic pollution

California attorney general accuses ExxonMobil of ‘decades-long deception’ for promising that plastics it produced would be recycled.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong shops still selling glow sticks for Mid-Autumn despite plastics ban

Sellers rush to clear stock before grace period ends next month, as economic mood and changing trends weigh on traditional stores.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong’s first waste water recycling plant can ‘save HK$48 million a year’

Facility provides recycled water for flushing at select sites in North district, with capacity able to expand to 520,000 residents.

The facility in Shek Wu Hui processes already treated waste water. Photo: Development Bureau
India

India tops global plastic waste emissions with 9.3 million tonnes: study

Experts say lack of infrastructure for proper waste collection is a primary cause, call for industry-specific policies to address crisis.

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Commuters drive past a pond laden with plastic waste in Hyderabad, India, on Friday. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Hong Kong can definitely stomach a robust food waste reduction strategy

Readers discuss how the government can encourage reduction of food waste, and steps residents can take to support such initiatives.

The Philippines

Video | Rice for rubbish: Philippines beach plastic waste exchanged for food

The rice for rubbish programme started in 2022.

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The Philippines

Rice for rubbish: beach plastic exchanged for food

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | 6 green ideas for Hong Kong’s chief executive

Readers suggest what to do about the city’s waste and other problems, the removal of rubbish bins from streets, and more targeted ways of phasing out plastic.

A general view of the Sun Tin area which approved by the Government to press ahead with the San Tin Technopole’s development was subject to 13 conditions. 17MAY24 SCMP/Dickson Lee
Thailand

Toxic waste bound for Thailand to return to Europe after environmental uproar

Forty shipping containers of waste bound for Thailand are due to arrive in Singapore, and will then be sent back to Italy.

Thailand

Thailand races to stop 100 cargo ships with toxic waste from reaching its shores

A US-based non-profit that tracks toxic trade, last week informed Thailand that containers it believes are filled with potentially harmful electric arc furnace dust were heading its way.

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