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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
The Environmental Protection Department is building the I·PARK1, Hong Kong’s first waste-to-energy facility for treating municipal solid waste. Photo: ISD
Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Waste-to-energy plant backs recycling push in Hong Kong

Government insists new Hong Kong facility complements existing strategy and does not signal a shift away from the reduction of rubbish to burning it.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong waste-to-energy plant won’t harm recycling push: minister

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong scientists turn kombucha ingredient into plastic substitute

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong to end pilot plastic recycling scheme as Green@Community expands

‘Centralised Waste Plastics Collection’ pilot programme will end on January 19 as recycling habits in the city have matured, official says.

The Green@Community network has expanded to cover all 18 districts in Hong Kong.Photo: Jelly Tse
Indonesia

Volunteers clean up Bali’s beach from ‘worst’ monsoon-driven trash

Hundreds of volunteers joined a clean-up as monsoon rains brought waves of plastic waste to the tourist-favoured beaches.

Hong Kong

Editorial | Get set for the next phase of Hong Kong’s war on plastics

Despite city’s battle against such pollution by restaurants getting off to a good start, stronger punishment may be needed along way.

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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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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

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

Asked if shelved waste-charging scheme will be relaunched, environment chief says tools ‘we use are actually secondary’.

Hong Kong environmental issues

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

Readers discuss recent research on flame retardants in plastic products, and the suicide prevention system for students.

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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A man walks next to bags of plastic waste at a recycling site near Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 17. Photo: AFP
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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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.

Everyday household items made of black recycled plastic, including kitchen utensils, takeaway containers, toys and hair accessories, have a high chance of containing dangerous levels of flame retardants and other toxic chemicals, a new study finds. Photo: Shutterstock Images
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.

Cola Lam, CEO of Green Al Technology, gives a demonstration of the smart sorting bin at the company’s offices at Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin. Photo: Edmond So
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.

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.

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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.

Campaigner Leanne Tam (right) has urged on the government to set a specific target for plastic reduction or recycling under a producer responsibility scheme. Photo: Dickson Lee
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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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 introduced the first stage of the single-use plastics ban on April 22. Photo: Jelly Tse
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.

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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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.

Exxon Mobil is a major producer of the polymers used to make plastics. File photo: Shutterstock
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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Glow sticks on sale at a Wan Chai toy store. Photo: Dickson Lee
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.

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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