In a joyful festival like Mid-Autumn, people enjoy mooncakes, enjoy feasts and carry out festive activities together. However, much waste is generated because of our celebration.
Did you know...
- Up till now, Hong Kongers had thrown away over 1,600,000 mooncakes, creating 1,102 tonnes of waste that takes 60,000 trees one whole year to absorb the emission?
- Approximately HK$30,000 are spent annually to dispose of the 1 million mooncake boxes that we throw away?
- We had disposed of more than 40,000,000 glow sticks, none of which can be recycled?
- Approximately 610,000 leftover steaks and 630,000 leftover sausages from Mid-Autumn Festival barbecues were tossed in the bin?
- A colossal amount of single-use plastic and wooden cutlery is used at these Mid-Autumn Festival barbecues?1
If these statistics shock you, you can help reduce our environmental impact by taking heed of the following tips this coming Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Plan carefully and buy only what you eat. This goes for both mooncakes and food for gatherings.
- Opt for mooncakes with more environmentally-friendly packaging.
- Do not use glow sticks.
- Bring your own reusable cutlery to barbecues or parties.
- Make sure you “Bring Your Litter Home” if you choose to celebrate the festival outdoors.
- Most important of all, spread the word. Encourage others to join you in protecting the environment!2
As we appreciate the moon’s beauty this Mid-Autumn Festival, let us reciprocate Mother Nature’s love by doing our bit for the environment!
Sources
- http://www.greenpower.org.hk/cuw/e_waste_p1.html. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.
- https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/Mid-Autumn_Festival_Green_Tips.html. Viewed on 03 Sep 2018.