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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.
Old newspapers are gathered in Kowloon’s Oi Man Estate during a government collection scheme in 1990. Photo: SCMP Archives
History

Then & Now | Trash talk: Hong Kong’s surprising history of recycling

Believe it or not, Hong Kong was better at recycling before ‘sustainability’ became a buzzword.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | After a year’s delay, Hong Kong is ready to roll out waste charging

Architecture and design

In Hong Kong, Editecture creates sustainable designs for brands like L’Occitane

Architecture and design

I started a sustainable furniture brand in Hong Kong. Here’s what I learned

In 2014, interior architect Caroline Olah founded her furniture brand with a commitment to responsible design. She recounts what happened when she saw the wood – not just the trees.

Caroline Olah, founder of Reddie, says her company’s goal is 100 per cent waste-based products. Photo: courtesy Reddie
Environment

Your clothes are shedding bits of plastic. Here’s what to do about it

Plastic fibres are common in many kinds of clothing, but most current washing machines are ill-equipped to filter them – and it’s having a devastating effect on the environment.

Architecture and design

The designer and ex-engineer for Nasa turning eggshells into lamps

Dilara Kan and Bodin Hon of Studio Yellowdot are crafting bold, beautiful household objects from ‘a month of breakfasts’.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

70 Hong Kong retailers allegedly sold oxo-degradable plastics despite ban: NGO

Green Earth says investigation suggests plastic bags, bin liners and pet waste bags labelled as ‘oxo-degradable’ had been sold by retailers.

Hong Kong has banned the production, supply and sale of all oxo-degradable plastic products, regardless of whether they are disposable. Photo: Vivian Au
Fashion

A ban on binning textiles means Sweden’s recycling centres are overflowing

Mountains of clothes piling up in Swedish recycling centres are sparking calls for fashion firms to take responsibility for textile waste.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong must keep up the fight against litterbugs

Heavy penalties have had a deterrent effect but much more needs to be done not only to attract visitors but more importantly to boost civic pride.

India

Samsung, Hitachi fight Modi over costly e-waste recycling policy

New rules require certain manufacturers to pay significantly more to recycle air conditioners, refrigerators, TVs and other appliances.

A man recycles electronic waste, or e-waste, from computer power supplies at a scrap yard in Ahmedabad, India, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
India

Letters | Why India is both world’s happiest place and No 118 behind Ukraine

Readers discuss the widely varying results of different global happiness surveys, Duterte’s arrest by the ICC, and waste reduction at the Hong Kong Sevens.

People enjoy the sunset along the Marine Drive promenade, one of the famous sunset spots near the Arabian Sea shore in Mumbai, India, on March 17. This year’s World Happiness Report places India at 118, behind Iran at 99, Palestine at 108 and Ukraine at 111. Photo: EPA-EFE
Indonesia

‘The sooner, the better’: Bali governor wants island waste-free by 2027

A sustainable waste management facility which can convert rubbish to energy is in the works for the resort island.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Use of plastic bags to fill holes on Hong Kong beach a travesty

Readers discuss contractors’ actions on a Lantau beach, and a reclamation project in Tseung Kwan O.

Malaysia

Fast fashion: food waste from Malaysian Ramadan bazaars hits the runway

A food waste-reduction group collected over 46,000kg of unsold food over the first two weeks of Ramadan this year, but said the actual wastage was likely to be much higher.

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Volunteer models wearing suits filled with discarded food hold up placards urging the public to reduce food wastage during the launch of MySaveFood’s #BazirRamadan campaign in Kuala Lumpur last week. Photo: MySaveFood
Mainland China

Video | China’s 315 gala: a night of scandals

Watched by up to a billion people, CCTV’s 315 Gala highlights consumer rights abuses in China.

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China’s 315 gala. Image: CCTV
Coronavirus pandemic

Chinese cities call for bids to dismantle and recycle makeshift Covid hospitals

Items listed on auction inventories reportedly include prefabricated containers, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, beds and computers.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Doubts raised over introduction of plastic recycling scheme in Hong Kong

Lack of monetary incentive and long timeline to achieve goals cited as major issues of newly proposed citywide plan.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Hong Kong shouldn’t water down its producer responsibility scheme

Readers discuss the city’s plan to encourage recycling of drink containers, the financial secretary’s attempt to reduce the budget deficit, and the need to reconsider local agriculture.

People buy drinks at convenience store in Tsim Sha Tsui on February 18. Photo: Jelly Tse
India

Video | New Delhi pledges to flatten rubbish mountain

Delhi environment minister said waste at the Bhalswa dump ‘will be reduced to a point where it will no longer be visible’ from a distance by 2026  

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Strong incentives and convenience can spell success for recycling in Hong Kong

The recycling scheme is worth pursuing, but authorities must heed warnings that rebate and implementation proposals may miss the mark.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong needs ‘more aggressive’ recycling targets for drinks cartons

Lawmakers urge government to set more ambitious targets under proposed scheme requiring drink suppliers to help with recycling containers.

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The government estimates its proposed recycling scheme could take up to eight years to fully implement. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Hong Kong’s latest plastic bottle recycling plan could be more ambitious

Readers discuss the proposed producer responsibility legislative framework, and the transport concession for the elderly.

People buy drinks at a convenience store in Tsim Sha Tsui on February 18. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong plan for recycling beverage containers draws criticism

Environmentalists and residents say 10 HK cent rebate is too little to motivate people to recycle.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Greenpeace calls for reusable cup system at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park

Group urges government to spend HK$10 million on system after finding main stadium alone may generate 1.2 million disposable items in a year.

Business of climate change

JD.com-backed gadget platform banks on China’s trade-in subsidy to spur volume

ATRenew, China’s largest platform for pre-owned electronics, is offering trade-in incentives to coincide with the Lunar New Year holiday.

JD.com-backed ATRenew had about 1,800 stores in more than 260 cities across China at the end of last year. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong environmental issues

Authorities start removing illegal clothes recycling bins from Hong Kong streets

‘Placing clothes recycling bins on government land without any approval by the Home Affairs Department constitutes unlawful occupation,’ Lands Department says.

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A clothes recycling bin with no logos set up outside Un Chau Shopping Centre in Cheung Sha Wan. A removal notice was hanged on it on Tuesday. Photo: Sun Yeung
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

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan pushes back against ‘misunderstandings’ over facility opening this year.

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