ECC launches Pilot Scheme for Lending of Reusable Meal Containers in seven universities (with photos)
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The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) today (September 5) launched the Pilot Scheme for Lending of Reusable Meal Containers, which operates under the "ben don go!" name, in seven universities to promote a plastic-free takeaway culture. The participating universities are City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Education University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Hong Kong.
Under the Pilot Scheme, participants can borrow reusable meal containers for free at university service points after registering with a university identification card, or by making a deposit of $20 per container with an Octopus card. After use, participants do not need to wash the meal containers, but they must empty all food from them before returning them to the service point, where deposits can be collected by Octopus card. The used meal containers will be washed and sterilised every day by university caterers or a professional tableware washing company appointed by the ECC.
Through the convenience brought about by the Pilot Scheme, the ECC hopes to encourage the public to develop the good habit of bringing their own reusable containers to buy takeaway food and reducing the use of disposable plastic cutlery. The Pilot Scheme also serves as a demonstration for private companies and schools, encouraging them to provide similar meal container lending services for their staff and students, and to practise a plastic-free takeaway culture in different sectors.
The ECC launched the Pilot Scheme at two testing locations, namely Revenue Tower in Wan Chai and D•PARK in Tsuen Wan, last year when meal containers were lent out nearly 4 000 times in total. This year, the ECC is expanding the Pilot Scheme to universities, encouraging teachers, students and staff to bring their own meal containers and reduce the use of disposable plastic cutlery.
For more information on the Pilot Scheme, please refer to the ECC's website (www.ecc.org.hk/en/publicity/bendongo.html).
Ends/Monday, September 5, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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