Local green group Green Power announced today (21 December) the latest findings of its annual "Hong Kong Countryside Rubbish Survey"(1), conducted since 2016. This ongoing survey aims at investigating littering behaviour in the countryside. The latest results showed that Hong Kong people had outings thrice monthly on average and the top three litter items were food packaging, fruit peel and plastic bottle. The average litter produced per person is two pieces of each of the three items per outing. The green group is already gearing up to educate the public about eco-conscious outing and to get the hikers out of the habit of dropping litter in rubbish bins in country parks.
Food packaging is the most common countryside litter
Mr. Henry Lui, Senior Conservation Manager of Green Power, noted that the average monthly visit to the countryside dropped slightly from 3.2 last year to 3.0 this year. A majority of respondents (55%) stated that littering was serious on the beach while roughly half of respondents stressed the severity of littering at campsites and barbecue sites/areas. The gravity of littering in the countryside warrants addressing.
The most discarded litter items reported by the surveyed were food packaging (63%), fruit peel (57%) and plastic bottle (51%). Two pieces of each of the three most common litter items are discarded per person. Quite a number of respondents indicated that they would take their litter home but it is still a common practice for some to leave it behind. Mr. Lui expressed dismay at the tendency to throw food packaging into rubbish or recycling bins in country parks by 43% of respondents. He pointed out that food scraps and smells on the packaging would draw wildlife to the bins. He advised against bringing too much food and recommended water bottles, food containers or reusable tableware to reduce littering in the countryside.
Eco-conscious outing to be nurtured
When asked about low-carbon outing, only 28% had heard of it and 88% had never computed their carbon footprint for an outing. Less than three in ten, 29% of respondents, recognised the importance of reducing carbon footprint of outing activities but most supported taking action, such as opting for public transport by 84% of respondents, to reduce carbon emissions. Mr. Lui says that commitment to a low carbon lifestyle by the public is essential if the target for a carbon neutral Hong Kong by 2050 is to be achieved. He urged the government to collaborate with green groups to promote low-carbon outing.
With continued support from HK Electric, Green Power is organising Clean Up the World in Hong Kong this year, with the theme of "Low-carbon Outing". It seeks to promote eco-friendly outings and provides "5 Eco-tips for Low-carbon Outing" on its social media platforms for the public to follow.
Notes to Editor
"Clean Up the World" has been an international activity organised under the United Nations since 1993. This annual event is now held in more than 130 cities around the globe with over 35 million participants. Green Power has been the official organiser of the event in Hong Kong since the beginning with full support from HK Electric. A range of activities under different themes are organised to engage the public in waste reduction and environmental protection.
Clean Up the World in Hong Kong Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/CUW.HK
Clean Up the World in Hong Kong Instagram account: @cleanuptheworldhk
