Young Hongkongers lagging the old in adapting to green lifestyle

Research by Oxford University and Chinese University looks at environmentally friendly habits

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Half of the city’s households sort recyclables from non-recyclables on a daily basis. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 11:49pm, 26 Apr 2016Updated: 11:49pm, 26 Apr 2016

With better education opportunities and a more liberal mindset, young people are assumed to care more about the environment than their elders. But that’s not the case, according to a survey.

A research centre jointly run by Oxford University and Chinese University has found that Hongkongers aged 15 to 24 are the least likely to act in an environmentally friendly way, while old people are the “green champions”.

Researchers stopped short of explaining the trend, but hoped the data, the first of its kind, could be used as a benchmark for continuous assessment. The findings will be passed on to authorities for reference in future policies.

The survey, conducted between January and February this year, interviewed 1,017 local residents over the phone.

There were encouraging signs, such as the 70 per cent who have made using fewer disposable shopping bags and packaging a daily habit. Researchers attributed the trend to the government’s plastic bag levy, which came into force in April last year.

And half of the city’s households sort recyclables from non-recyclables on a daily basis. But those who live in public housing fell behind the overall population, with only 42.2 per cent doing so.

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