Christine Loh takes first step to make the Sevens green-friendly
Environmental crusader requested all box and suite holders to order food mindfully
The new "greener" Sevens may take a while to invade fans' consciousness, but environmental crusader Christine Loh Kung-wai stressed the initiative was only in its infancy, being haphazardly brought together in six weeks.
"This year is a trial for us," she said. "We are just doing the '101' - really simple things we can think of in six weeks ... you have to start somewhere."
The environmental pilot programme was launched by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and key partners to minimise the waste footprint of the city's biggest sporting event.
We are still learning. In three years’ time we would hope that all types of waste [at the Sevens] will be thought about and organised so recycling will be higher
Under Secretary for the Environment Loh requested all box and suite holders to order food mindfully and, behind the scenes, caterer Holiday Inn to either retain or donate food.
Environmental messages were broadcast and rare sightings of the "Big Waster" food character, encouraging awareness of one of Hong Kong's biggest environmental issues.
Apart from a paltry 18 recycling bins - so poorly marked they blended in with regular bins - the HKRFU purchased recyclable water bottles for players.
But the efforts were barely recognised by the 40,000 throng.
"You definitely don't notice the bins," said Anthony Lau, 28, a supply chain planner, while standing right next to one of the stadium's few recycling stations.