Nearly 150 firms in Hong Kong cut packaging waste equal to weight of 900 buses

Over the past year, nearly 150 companies in Hong Kong have successfully reduced packaging waste, according to the Environmental Protection Department's (EPD) waste reduction charter launched in 2025. The campaign targeted 8 business sectors, including logistics, e-commerce, drink manufacturing, and supermarkets, in an effort to minimize the weight of packaging waste equivalent to around 900 double-decker buses.

Among the 75 companies recognized for their efforts at an award ceremony, A-1 Bakery, Watsons Water, and SF Express Hong Kong stood out. Each company implemented various strategies to lessen their packaging waste, such as redesigning packaging materials, promoting recycling, and utilizing recyclable materials.

After participating in the charter, A-1 Bakery redesigned its cake boxes, introducing a clean, easily removable compartment layer with handles to replace the previous brown boxes. Watsons Water also took action by emphasizing the recycling of water bottles and setting up recycling machines in local supermarkets. The company's plastic reduction charter has encouraged more conversations about sustainability partnerships among stakeholders.

SF Express Hong Kong joined the EPD's on-site recycling project, enabling customers to return packaging materials for recycling immediately after collecting their parcels. The logistics firm showcased air cushion bubble films made from recyclable plastic and modified cardboard boxes to reduce secondary packaging waste.

Undersecretary for Environment and Ecology Diane Wong Shuk-han highlighted the importance of balancing environmental protection and economic development, stating that they complement each other. The ceremony followed the launch of the package reduction charter, which aimed to maximize the impact of eliminating packaging waste in various business sectors.