At least 300,000 mooncake boxes will be green-friendly this year as bakeries start to capitalise on rising public demand for eco-products, an environmental group predicts.
Friends of the Earth, which began targeting excessive packaging two years ago, is forming a judging panel to recommend the most environmentally friendly packaging designs to the public.
The group hopes it can pressure bakeries to alter packaging to cut waste. 'These bakeries are starting to design their packaging and organise their production lines. We hope to mobilise consumer power to prompt them to change their designs,' Friends of the Earth spokesman Hahn Chu Hon-keung said.
The Environmental Protection Department has promised to serve as judge. The bakeries must submit designs to Friends of the Earth between mid-June and August 10.
The group has written to seven key bakeries urging them to consider consumers' demands for eco-friendly products. Last year, the group found the worst box had 22 separate pieces inside.
Mr Chu said bakeries should at least remove plastic forks and knives and try to use as much recyclable materials, such as biodegradable containers, as possible.