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Hong Kong companies sign a plastic reduction pledge that the Hong Kong government should have a role

2020-07-03T12:13:03.696Z


Watsons Group announced on Thursday (2nd) that it will be the first health and beauty retailer to sign the "New Plastics Economy Global Commitment", saying that the group will actively reduce production


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Written by: Review Editor Room

2020-07-03 17:45

Last update date: 2020-07-03 17:45

Watsons Group announced on Thursday (2nd) that it will be the first health and beauty retailer to sign the "New Plastics Economy Global Commitment", stating that the group will actively reduce the generation of plastic waste and aims to eliminate it by 2030 PVC. In the case of sufficient supply of recycled plastics, at least 20% recycled materials will be used for plastic product packaging by 2025.

The Commitment includes three actions, such as stopping the use of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging, replacing disposable packaging with reusable packaging materials, and substantially reusing or recycling manufactured plastic products. (The stills of "Plastic Truth")

"Global Plastic Reduction Commitment"

In 2018, the Allen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published the "Global Plastic Reduction Commitment", which aims to promote the plastic recycling economy and reduce global plastic waste and pollution. The Commitment includes three actions, such as stopping the use of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging, replacing disposable packaging with reusable packaging materials, and substantially reusing or recycling manufactured plastic products.

"Pledge" has been signed by many companies, organizations or governments around the world since its publication. Among them, more familiar to Hong Kong people include Apple, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Nestle, and H&M. There are many manufacturers of disposable plastics in Hong Kong, but compared with these multinational giants, there are still a few local enterprises that have signed the "Promise". Environmental protection is a common global issue that affects the future life of mankind. In addition to relying on corporate self-discipline, it is also important for the Environment Bureau to provide incentives for the industry and encourage companies to reduce the manufacturing of plastic.

Whether or not companies will sign the "Global Plastic Reduction Commitment" is a business decision. However, very few companies in Hong Kong participate in environmental protection projects. The government still has a responsibility to review whether the current policy or business environment has caused it. (Profile picture)

Strengthen recycling and reduce waste

In recent years, plastic waste accounted for about 20% of urban solid waste, and plastic containers (such as plastic bottles) accounted for about 10% of plastic waste. The proportion of plastic waste has increased year-on-year. Nearly 70% of the 5.95 million metric tons of waste produced in 2018 was sent directly to landfills. The government should also adopt a combination of levy and recycling to ease the landfill burden in Hong Kong.

Since 2017, the government has conducted a consultancy study on the "producer responsibility plan" for plastic product containers. It is a pity that after years of research, the "producer responsibility system" originally intended to implement the polluter pays has always only heard the staircase. Producers continue to profit from the manufacture of plastic, but the cost of processing plastic waste and its environmental costs are shared by society. With the end of the Legislative Council session, the "difficult delivery" of the garbage levy draft in June is a major blow to waste reduction at the source of Hong Kong. In the future, the Environment Bureau should aim to reduce waste at the source, and study to put the producer responsibility system and garbage levy back on the agenda to promote legislation.

If an enterprise wants to use reusable packaging as promised, or recycle the plastic products that have been produced, there are still certain difficulties locally. (Profile picture / Photograph by Zheng Zifeng)

Whether or not companies will sign the "Global Plastic Reduction Commitment" is a business decision. However, very few companies in Hong Kong participate in environmental protection projects. The government still has a responsibility to review whether the current policy or business environment has caused it. Hong Kong’s plastic recycling rate is low, and it is even lower than 7% in 2018. If enterprises are to use reusable packaging as promised, or recycle already produced plastic products, there are still certain difficulties locally. The Environment Bureau can still start with the local recycling industry, such as subsidies to increase the profits of plastic recycling, etc., thereby supporting the environmental protection industry to recycle plastics and creating an environmentally friendly business environment for Hong Kong.

The government must show determination to govern while Huimin is still dead

Recycling of food waste in the still life of garbage levy still has to work hard

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Watsons Environmental Protection Agency 01 Views

Source: hk1

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