Living Smart

II ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY 064 065 general rubbish bins, and are sometimes overflowing with non- recyclables, further discouraging recycling. In addition, the government itself does not set a good example in this regard. For example, Typhoon Mangkhut recently felled several hundred trees, but 20,480 tons of wood from these trees were sent directly to landfills instead of being mulched for composting. Despite the obstacles, though, there are many ways to improve the situation. The government should launch a continuous public awareness campaign to remind people to recycle – similar to how the MTR continuously reminds passengers that eating is prohibited inside paid areas of stations. My own research has shown that using cute, energetic, and positive messages in an appropriate way can strongly influence people to increase recycling. Allied with communications, as mentioned, the government must make it easier for people to recycle. Indeed, governments around the world are beefing up policies on recycling. For example, the European Union agreed last year that member states will be obliged to collect 90 percent of their plastic beverage bottles from 2029 onward. As a step in the right direction, in Hong Kong, a recycling plant for plastic bottles will be set up at the Eco Park in Tuen Mun in a few years’ time. As citizens, by working together with the government and manufacturers, we can make a difference to Hong Kong’ s chronic waste problem. After all, it is in everyone’ s best interest to keep this city sustainable and clean for future generations to come. Published on April 03, 2019