Social Challenge:
How might we improve the
effectiveness and boost the participation rate of the existing household
recycling program?
How might we encourage
second-hand exchange in Hong Kong? (another form of household recycling)
Why is
this important?
The 3 existing landfills in
Hong Kong will reach their maximum capacity by early to mid 2010.
Background
Each year, more than 6
million tonnes of solid waste are generated in Hong Kong, over half of which is
disposed of in the three strategic landfills. If the waste loads continue to
increase, there will be a need to allocate an additional 400 hectares of land
to develop new landfill sites to meet our waste disposal needs up to 2030.
Clearly, Hong Kong needs a more sustainable way to deal with waste.
Status
Quo
The government initiated a territory-wide campaign to promote household recycling through separation of domestic waste at source in 2005. Yet, Hong Kong’s household waste recycling rate (23% in 2007) is still falling behind compared with nearby cities. A recent survey in 2009 reveals that 90% of the residences in the estates participating in the program are still confused about what can be recycled and what cannot. NGOs have regular second-hand item collection services in housing estates to recycle and donate usable items to those in need.
Solution 1: Green Estate Olympiad
Goal: provide incentives for recycling
- Public Housing Estates as the starting point
- Organize workshops for children and parents to learn how to recycle and reuse the second-hand items
- Set up Second-hand Items Market
- Pay scavengers to collect rubbish at the housing estates; organize a competition
