The "Hong Kong International Coastal Cleanup 2023" held its launch ceremony and coastal cleanup day at Stanley Plaza yesterday (November 5), calling on all sectors to participate in this global marine conservation event. Our volunteers cleaned up a total of 115 kilograms of coastal waste at Stanley Beach in the morning. The opening ceremony was graced by Mr. Fong Kin-wa JP, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department, Mr. Shih Wing-ching JP, Chairperson of the Green Council, the coordinating organization of the "International Coastal Cleanup", Chief Executive Officer Ms. Linda W P Ho, and representatives from various supporting organizations.
According to last year's "International Coastal Cleanup" report, cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and food packaging bags topped the list of coastal waste. This waste not only threatens marine life, but it has the potential to enter the food chain, leading to inadvertent human ingestion, thereby affecting human health.
Ms. Linda W P Ho, Chief Executive Officer of the Green Council, stated, "Studies show that over 90% of marine waste in nearshore waters originates from land activities. The use of disposable items has increased after the pandemic, while the scale of coastal cleanup activities has decreased. Citizens need to take action to reduce the production of coastal waste at its source and properly dispose of terrestrial waste to avoid entering the marine environment. This is the long-term method to protect the oceans. With the imminent implementation of the Municipal Solid Waste Charging, the public should properly dispose of and package their waste to avoid it entering the marine environment through channels or culverts, or being blown into the ocean by the wind. Upholding our mission of 'Conservation begins with Education' we firmly believe in enhancing publicity and educating the public to reduce waste production from the source is more effective than law enforcement. The Green Council will continue its educational work to protect the coasts."
The "Hong Kong International Coastal Cleanup 2023" will be held from September 16 to November 26. The data collected will be announced at a press conference at the end of the year.
The "International Coastal Cleanup" is a registered action of the United Nations Ocean Conference to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Water Life.
For more information, please visit: https://www.greencouncil.org/icc