We all need to drink. We would have terrible problems if we don’t. But the way we buy and consume is creating lots of waste: 5 million drink packaging end up in the landfills, including 136 tonnes of plastic bottles, 91 tonnes of multi-layer cardboard drink boxes, 41 tonnes of aluminium cans and the 275 tonnes of glass bottles. (港人每日棄置136噸膠瓶、91噸紙盒飲品包裝、41噸鋁罐、275噸玻璃瓶)
This week we announced a unique alliance of over 25 green groups and members of the beverages, retail and waste industry. (超過25個飲品製造商、零售商、環保團體及回收業界組成工作小組以尋求解決方案) Our campaign is called ‘Drink without waste’. We raised funds and selected a consultant to identify solutions.
There are many. But which ones are practical and match consumer behaviour in our hyper-dense urban areas?
More refilling stations would be good to reduce bottled water. But how about the sweet, fizzy, milky and other drinks? How about when you forget your refill bottle? Shall we standardize our drink packaging and only use glass bottles which are collected, washed and re-used? Or do we only use aluminium because they have more recycling value? Or do we continue with plastic but get better at turning these back into plastic pellets which can be re-used? Or do we agree on a deposit which is repaid when plastic bottles and carton packs are returned? If so, where can people bring them and get their money back?
I can’t wait to see the different options with their environmental, social, financial, and land cost clearly identified this summer. Because that is when the fun starts – that is when we will have to make a choice. Stay tuned.