‘Liking, sharing Facebook posts won’t bring change’: Hong Kong Greenpeace activist urges city to wake up ... and smell the waste

Andy Chu Kong, a campaigner for Greenpeace in Hong Kong, is encouraged by the city’s increasing environmental awareness. He says that even his mother, who did not grow up with slogans about how to live a greener lifestyle, is making efforts to recycle at home.

But Chu knows there is a lot more work to be done and he says that corporations are the key to solving the city’s waste crisis.

The problem is so bad that there have been calls for Hong Kong to follow France’s lead in banning disposable plastic cups and plates, which will mean many chain restaurants will be forced to change their entire catering approach.

Chu speaks to the Post about Hong Kong’s overconsumption problems, particularly the city’s excessive use of plastic, and why reducing what we buy rather than recycling more might be the ultimate solution. He also discusses Hong Kong’s problem with beach littering, controversial government plans to build flats in its country parks and the global battle against climate change.