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Recycling and waste reduction

Recycling and waste reduction
Latest news and analysis about the recycling and reduction of waste materials, particularly of plastics, water, paper, metals and e-waste.
Indonesian customs and environmental enforcement officers inspect discarded electronic equipment seized from containers at Batu Ampar port in Batam in October. Photo: Batam Customs
Indonesia

‘No other option’: Indonesia begins returning toxic e-waste to US

Four containers of electronic waste deemed hazardous have been shipped out from Batam, following the government’s hardline warning.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong’s unclassified landfill waste data gaps ‘undermine green efforts’

Japan

Letters | Japan should put more eggs in the renewable basket

France

France pushes back plastic cup ban amid industry pressure, green backlash

France delays its single-use plastic cup ban to 2030, sparking criticism from environmental groups who cite industry lobbying and slow progress.

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A woman holding plastic cup of iced coffee with milk. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Hong Kong still needs a waste-charging scheme

Despite the decline in solid waste levels, there is a need for a solution to deal with the reality of the city’s overwhelmed landfills.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong’s solid waste levels dip for third year, but green groups still worried

Environment groups say trend not so clear-cut, cite impact of pandemic and heightened public awareness over shelved waste-charging plan.

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Environment

Video | Vietnam’s recyclers risk cancer in toxic villages

UN study finds ‘very high’ lead and dioxin levels in Vietnamese communities handling domestic and imported plastic waste, with residents reporting widespread illness.

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Fashion

The stars wearing upcycled fashion using everything from watch straps to spoons

Hailey Bieber and Lorde both wore a dress made from watch straps by Marine Serre, while Cate Blanchett was spotted in a Hodakova halter top made of spoons.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Noble Panacea has landed in Hong Kong – meet CEO Céline Talabaza

The brand recently opened a flagship counter at Hong Kong’s Lane Crawford and launched the groundbreaking Absolute Peptide8 Night Serum.

China exports

Waste to wealth: why China is building incinerators around the world

China’s economic slowdown has left its waste-to-energy sector without enough trash to burn. So, companies are heading overseas.

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People work at a garbage incinerator power station in Zhangye, a city in China’s northwestern Gansu province. Photo: Getty Images
Malaysia

How US e-waste is dodging bans and turning Malaysia into ‘mecca of junk’

A watchdog report details how US firms export e-waste to developing nations, bypassing regulations and harming health and environment.

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A police officer inspects plastic waste inside cargo containers before it is sent back to the country of origin in Port Klang, Malaysia’s Selangor in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong

Coca-Cola goes green in Hong Kong with locally recycled PET bottles

Bottling partner Swire Coca-Cola starts using locally sourced recycled PET from Hong Kong supplier New Life Plastics.

Hong Kong environmental issues

HK$90 million spent on Hong Kong pay-as-you-throw scheme ‘not wasted’: minister

Environment chief Tse Chin-wan says no public resources have been wasted, as he has noticed an increase in public awareness of waste reduction and recycling.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Waste-charging scheme can still be an effective tool for Hong Kong

Officials must not lose sight of the urgency of tackling the city’s overburdened landfills.

Property management officers hold up a designated bag for waste disposal at a residential complex in Tsuen Wan on April 1, 2024. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong environmental issues

Opinion | Hongkongers must see the waste-charging scheme makes financial sense

The public must not lose sight of how landfill and other waste-related costs ultimately weigh on the government’s fiscal health.

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An aerial view of the South East New Territories (SENT) Landfill in Tseung Kwan O on September 29. Hongkongers might not be required to pay directly for waste disposal now, but the financial implications of the city’s current disposal system are substantial. The cost of landfill disposal has nearly doubled over 10 years. Photo: Sam Tsang
Fashion

Redress takes circular fashion advocacy to the UN, spotlighting Asia’s role

The Hong Kong NGO’s founder and CEO, Christina Dean, moderated a New York panel of young designers pioneering eco-friendly design practices.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong’s John Lee cites lack of consensus in shelving waste-charging scheme

But chief executive stresses that government’s goal of promoting waste reduction and recycling and achieving ‘zero landfill’ by 2035 remains unchanged.

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Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong will boost recycling rate, keep waste-charging as safety net, says minister

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan says government may reintroduce the scheme, which is ‘on standby’, if necessary.

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Residents and cleaners dispose household waste at Sun Tsui Estate in Tai Wan in May. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong environmental issues

Strong public backlash behind ongoing hold on Hong Kong waste charging: minister

Environment chief says surveys showed about 70 to 80 per cent of respondents thought scheme should not be implemented, timing wasn’t right for policy.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Waste-charging scheme will remain on the shelf indefinitely, Hong Kong confirms

Hong Kong government indefinitely shelves the long-delayed pay-as-you-throw scheme amid global trade war and rising geopolitical risks.

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Business of climate change

EcoCeres backs green aviation fuel hub for Hong Kong ‘depending on conditions’

Chief executive says a ‘clear and stable local market’ is a key prerequisite for green aviation fuel hub ambitions.

Hong Kong has plans to develop a sustainable aviation fuel supply chain in the Greater Bay Area. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Have too many mooncakes? How to donate them to people without in Hong Kong

Millions of mooncakes go to waste every year in Hong Kong and boxes and packaging end up in landfills. Here are charities that help.

Production of mooncakes at Tai Tung Bakery’s factory in Tuen Mun. Photo: SCMP
Australia

Sayonara, soy fish: Australian state bans plastic containers in world first

The small size of the 30ml takeaway packs makes them difficult to recycle, South Australia’s environment minister says.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Does recycling in Hong Kong have to be a financial burden?

Readers discuss the costs involved in recycling, a recent football event, and a kind gesture by Cathay Pacific.

Hong Kong environmental issues

A year after axing waste-charging scheme, is Hong Kong better off?

Officials cite trash volume declines and more recycling activity as victories, but environmentalists say the numbers do not paint the full picture.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Hong Kong can align with Guangdong’s zero-waste goal for National Games

Readers discuss the problem with single-use cups, the need for a hope campaign, high-risk carers, and senior job options.

In Hong Kong, reusable cup systems have been piloted at events like the Sevens. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Environment

Deadline looms as nations remain divided on global plastic pollution treaty

A coalition of oil-producing states remains at odds with an ‘ambitious’ group that wants radical action written into a treaty.

Electric & new energy vehicles

CATL, BYD partner with BHP to electrify Australia’s mining industry

The Chinese firms will collaborate with BHP on battery development for mining equipment, locomotives and rapid charging infrastructure.

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