Hong Kong government vending machines to ditch small water bottles in battle against plastic waste
Environment minister says administration ‘committed to setting green example’, announcing policy to start in February
Vending machines at government premises will stop selling water in bottles of one litre or less starting from early next year, it emerged on Thursday, as part of a bid to clamp down on unnecessary plastic waste.
The new policy will cover all government-run sports complexes, performance venues, offices, urban parks, country parks, car parks, transport interchanges and ferry piers, according to the Environment Bureau. It will come in on February 20 next year.
“The government has always attached great importance to ... reducing waste and actively promotes reduction and recovery at source at different levels of society,” a bureau spokesman said.
There are more than 1,130 vending machines set up at government venues across the city.
The machines will still dispense bottles of water larger than one litre, and the policy will not apply to any drinks other than water.
The government is committed to setting a ‘green’ example in promoting waste reduction at source
Exemptions will also be made for “special circumstances” such as “ad hoc operations, prolonged outdoor works or emergency situations” where bottled water would be provided to meet public service or operational needs, according to a spokesman.