In Hong Kong’s Kwai Tsing neighbourhood, a community recycling station has been quietly making an impact since opening in 2019.
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Green@Kwai Tsing, operated by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, serves as a collection point for various items that are sent to recyclers. Twelve mobile collection spots are also set up in the neighbourhood every week.
Back in 2019, the station collected 20 tonnes of recyclables each month, but that has since surged to about 60 tonnes.
“We have noticed that in recent years, the public’s awareness of recycling has clearly increased, and many more residents are actively participating in waste reduction and recycling,” said Chris Wong Kar-hing, head of professional services at the NGO.
She said the Covid-19 pandemic was a key turning point, as the amount of disposable waste piled up and triggered public awareness, in addition to many publicity campaigns.
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Hospital worker WY Fok, 50, visits the station every month.
“I prefer coming here instead of using three-colour recycling bins at my building because they take all kinds of recyclables, like glass bottles. Why throw them away if they can be recycled?” Fok said.