Hong Kong Experiences Hottest Summer: August 2023 Shatters Records

Recycling goes beyond paper and plastic! We often toss things away without realizing they can recycled, missing out on simple ways to reduce waste. Beyond the usual recyclable materials, everyday items like worn-out clothes, contact lens packaging, empty makeup and skincare bottles, and electronics and appliances can be recycled! 

Even our festive Lai See can be repurposed through specialized and seasonal recycling programmes. It's time for us to rethink our habits and actively try to reduce waste that goes into landfills! 

Contact Lens Blister Packs and Foil

Our contact lenses' blister packs and foil can be recycled. They're something that some of us use every day yet it's so easy to overlook how much waste these small little things can build over time. 

Organizations like Contact Lens Easy makes it easy for us to give single use packaging a second life! Visit their physical store at Tsim Sha Tsui to drop off your items or check out their list of locations with their pop-up recycle boxes here (the ones highlighted in green are open to public). 

Location: 1A Ka Wai Building, 41C-41D Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; various pop-up locations

Beauty Empties

The empty bottles, pots, and bottles from our skincare and makeup are recyclable through various recycling schemes in Hong Kong. 

For every beauty empty recycled, you can earn points or in-house credits towards a redemption on your next purchase! 

Go recycle your empties at your nearest skincare store below: 

• Reducing waste with L’OCCITANE
• Lancôme Recycle Program
• Bring It Back Packaging Recycling Scheme
• Watsons x L'Oreal Beauty For The Future Recycling Program

Note: Please check if your beauty empty is eligible within the specific recycle schemes before you head off! 

Lai See (Red Packets)

According to Greeners Action, Hong Kong people give out and exchange about 320 million Lai See packets every year which is equivalent to a deforestation of 16,300 trees. While most Lai See packets tend to be discarded after one use, many of them are in good condition and can actually be reused. 

To combat the waste of using Lai See packets, Greeners Action has been running a Lai See Reuse and Recycle Program and set up around 400 collection points throughout Hong Kong. 

Find the closest Lai See collection point to you here.  

Old Clothing

With fast fashion, various changing trends, and seasonal wardrobe updates happening continuously, huge amounts of clothing are filling up the landfills faster than ever. 

To address clothing wastage, several organizations have set up donation initiatives in Hong Kong. Some of them even have physical stores and seasonal pop-ups to give these donated clothes a second chance! 

Find your nearest donation points below: 

• Zara Used Clothing Donation Programme
• Waste．No Way - Recycling Programme
• Redress Clothing Takeback
• H&M Let's Close The Loop

Paper Shopping Bags

Collecting a surplus of retail bags from your latest shopping or food delivery spree? Organized by St. James Settlement - Green Ladies, is running a program to collect these bags that may be sitting around your home or office, that we've all kept just incase we ever need to use them.  

If your bags are paper or nonwoven, A4 or larger in size, and in good condition, consider donating them to Green Ladies! Don't worry about the branding on your bags, any bag that matches the above three conditions can all be donated with no problem. 

Note that they currently do not accept plastic bags or insulated bags. 

The collection points can be found here. 

Rechargeable Batteries, Fluorescent Lamps and Tubes, and Electrical Appliances

If anything should be properly disposed and recycled, it is electronic wastes. Think: Rechargeable batteries, common household appliances, TVs, cameras, laptops, and many others. These can all be removed from your house properly through the GREEN@COMMUNITY campaign. 

Operated by the Environmental Protection Department, the GREEN@COMMUNITY has set-up Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores, and Recycling Spots throughout Hong Kong, where you can drop-off your unused electronic and appliances conveniently. They even offer free door-to-door collection service for your oversized items! 

Click here for the full list of recycleable items they accept and find your nearest drop-off points here. 

Hong Kong offers a growing array of options for those seeking fresh, local, and organic groceries. From bustling farmers' markets to specialty organic stores, the city’s vibrant green scene provides easy access to sustainably sourced produce and eco-friendly products. These markets and shops not only promote healthier living but also support local farmers and encourage environmentally conscious shopping.

If you’re looking for the best spots to secure your organic groceries in Hong Kong, we’ve listed below where you can find everything from seasonal vegetables to artisanal health products.

Foodcraft HK

Foodcraft, founded by Japanese Raw Food chef Shima Shimizu, has evolved from a simple cooking class into a thriving online store with over 2,000 carefully selected products that all focus on enhancing our well-being. Rooted in Kennedy Town, the store offers a diverse range of nutritious and minimally processed foods, including homemade cultured coconut yogurt and raw sprouted nuts to gluten-free baked goods, vegan cheeses, and kombucha. Committed to making clean food choices accessible, especially for busy people, their all-woman team emphasizes on preparing “real food” from scratch that is both tasty and nourishing.

With products spanning dairy-free, gluten-free, keto, paleo, soy-free, and vegan options, Foodcraft champions a holistic and inclusive approach to health that help the community make good food decisions. Want to prepare your own healthy meals and snacks? They also offer monthly cooking classes! Visit their website for more information.

Fresh Organic

Fresh Organic is a Hong Kong-based store dedicated to offering a curated selection of high-quality, certified natural and organic products from around the globe. With a commitment to “Eat RAW, Go RAW,” they source the finest raw superfoods directly from nature. Their product range includes direct-import healthy juices like Organic Elder Flower Syrup from Germany; raw and organic dried nuts, fruits, and grains from Earth Harvest Superfoods such as pistachios, quinoa, pitted prunes, and white mulberries; a variety of mushrooms like Boletus, Wood Ear, Shiitake; and CocoLuck Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

Visit their website to order! For local and international wholesale orders, payment options include PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and AlipayHK. Call or contact their WhatsApp at 5401 4366 or 9606 2461 for more details.

LIFE

LIFE is a specialty organic grocery store dedicated to providing premium nutritional food and superfoods sourced from Asia. Known for their motto, “Life Is For Excellence,” LIFE encourages a balanced, health-focused lifestyle inspired by nature. The store offers a wide selection of organic products, including AKAROA King Salmon (sashimi, frozen, or smoked), MSG-free soup bases like seafood vegetable broth from Korea and New Zealand Flaky Sea Salt, organic coconut oil, and a variety of Salba Chia products. They also have vegan protein supplements like Best Vegan Protein Powder and Reaction Vegan Protein Powder for a guilt-free, no-added-sugar boost.

With free shipping on orders over HK$380 for pick-up and HK$680 for select direct deliveries, LIFE makes it easy to access healthy choices across Hong Kong. Visit their website to order!

Tai Po Farmers' Market

The Tai Po Farmers' Market, run by the Federation of Vegetable Marketing Co-Operative Societies, connects consumers directly with local organic farmers to promote sustainable practices and support farmers’ livelihoods. With a lively area of multiple grocery and hawker stalls, it offers fresh produce, traditional Hakka treats, and more. Easily accessible by MTR, this bustling hub combines old-world charm with modern convenience, making it a popular destination for fresh and local goods in the New Territories.

The market is open every Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates! You can also contact them at +852 2471 1169.

Central Farmers’ Market

The Central Farmers’ Market, organized by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in collaboration with The “Star” Ferry Company Ltd., is a vibrant Sunday market held at Star Ferry Central Pier No. 7. Since its inception in 2007, this weekly gathering has dedicated itself to promoting fair trade and environmental sustainability by connecting local organic farmers with consumers who value fresh and chemical-free produce. Visitors can explore a variety of stalls offering organic farm produce, eco-friendly goods, and locally made handicrafts. Key participating farms, such as Puppy Organic Farm, Ming Yuen Farm, and Zen Organic Farm, bring their certified organic produce from regions like Yuen Long and Ta Kwu Ling, contributing to Hong Kong’s local economy and environmental conservation efforts.

The market welcomes everyone every Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. For inquiries, contact their hotline at (852) 2483 7138 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Gold Coast Farmers Market

The Gold Coast Farmers Market is a monthly event held on the first Sunday of each month from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Gold Coast Piazza's ground floor courtyard. This vibrant market showcases fresh and organic produce from local farms, inviting visitors to support sustainable agriculture and enjoy farm-to-table quality. Set in the picturesque surroundings of Hong Kong Gold Coast, just a 30-minute drive from the city center, the market provides a refreshing escape by the marina and Golden Beach, ideal for those seeking a leisurely day amid greenery and community spirit.

For more details, visit their website or contact +852 2452 6566. Don’t forget to bring your own bag!

The Beat Asia was privileged to attend the Redress Design Award 2024 Grand Final Fashion Show, exclusively catching up with Finalists and Jessica Wei, the Senior Director of Sustainability, at Tommy Hilfiger Asia Pacific, the program’s Exclusive Fashion Sponsor, to get an inside look into what it will take to build a more circular fashion industry.

Also serving on the judging panel for the 2024 Award, Jessica led workshops for the Finalists educating them on crucial industry knowledge and mediating an eye-opening pitching session. Throughout a week-long program, Jessica, alongside her panel, carefully assessed every element that went into each of the Finalists’ showcase collections, culminating in the Grand Final Fashion Show held on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.

With a background in building sustainable product and packaging design, alongside implementing circular and renewable operations at Tommy Hilfiger Asia Pacific, Jessica is embedded in the brand’s “Tommy for Tomorrow” targets. Not only did she bring her crucial industry expertise to 2024’s Redress Design Award, but this year’s Winner Tiger Chung will also be working with Tommy Hilfiger to launch a sustainable retail collection in Hong Kong.

Read on as Jessica shares her experiences with the Redress Design Award 2024 and how Tiger will be joining her to influence the more circular fashion industry of tomorrow.

What led to your exclusive fashion sponsorship with Redress this year?

Tommy Hilfiger is committed to inclusivity and sustainability and our vision is a future of fashion that “wastes nothing and welcomes all."

We believe that this ethos aligns with the Redress Design Award, a fantastic competition that nurtures the next generation of circular design talent from different walks of life across the globe and unites them in a vision of sustainable fashion. Our goals are aligned, and Tommy Hilfiger is proud to be the 2024 exclusive fashion sponsor as we strive towards making circularity the industry norm.

What were you looking out for in the Finalists’ collections and what do you look forward to the winner bringing to a sustainable retail project in Tommy Hilfiger?

As a judge, I’ve been looking out for designers who challenge the status quo when it comes to sustainability, whether that’s in material sourcing, circular design technique, or having thought about the life cycle of a piece. What has set the winner apart is superior storytelling through their work.

We are very excited to be working with this year’s winner, Tiger Chung from Hong Kong, and we believe their inspiration and sustainable design techniques will inspire local communities, other designers, and industry alike.

Tiger will be working closely with our sustainability, design, sourcing, and store development teams to bring a unique sustainable collection to life for retail in Hong Kong, and we can’t wait to share this with our consumers!

What has been a positive experience interacting with this year’s Redress Design Awards finalists?

One of the best parts of this competition is that finalists are given several workshopping opportunities, at a manufacturer, at a packaging workshop, and of course, the pitching day with all the judges. Watching them develop through this process has been a rewarding experience!

With circularity at the core of Tommy Hilfiger’s sustainability efforts, what steps are you putting in place in your operations to facilitate building a more sustainable business model?

Our goal is that all of Tommy Hilfiger’s products will contribute to the circular economy by 2030 through design, use, and end-of-life. We are focused on the key pillars of circular design, promoting circular business models to extend use, and end-of-life management.

As about 80% of a product’s environmental footprint is determined in the design stage, we are educating our designers through our circular design guidelines internally and we also have sustainable product guidelines around material choices.

Read more about the Redress Design Award 2024 Grand Final Fashion Show and The Beat Asia's exclusive on Tiger and the other finalists here.

Who can resist the cuteness of pandas? In Hong Kong, giant pandas are more than just attractions – they represent a rich narrative of diplomacy, conservation, and cultural significance. These black-and-white bears have become symbols of Hong Kong’s connection to China, as well as its commitment to wildlife protection.

With recent milestones like the birth of panda twins and the arrival of new panda residents, the story of pandas in Hong Kong continues to evolve, capturing the attention and hearts of millions. Whether you’ve already seen them or are planning a visit to Ocean Park to witness them up close, you’ll want to learn more about the history of giant pandas in Hong Kong. Uncover their journey and see how they’ve thrived in this quick trip down memory lane:

Giant Pandas as Symbols of Friendship

The story of Hong Kong’s giant pandas began in 1999, when China gifted An An and Jia Jia to mark the second anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule. As symbols of peace and friendship, the pandas exemplified China’s practice of “panda diplomacy,” in which the gifting of pandas has long served as a goodwill gesture to strengthen ties with other nations.

An An and Jia Jia quickly become beloved residents of Ocean Park, captivating locals and tourists. Jia Jia, a female, became famous by earning a place in the Guinness World Records as the oldest panda in captivity, living to the impressive age of 38 before her passing in 2016. Meanwhile, An An, her male companion, lived until the age of 35 before passing away in 2022.

The pair’s longevity and presence in Hong Kong have helped raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and even kickstarted a local interest in panda care.

A Historic Birth in 2024

A second pair of pandas arrived in Hong Kong in 2007, Ying Ying and Le Le, further reinforcing the importance of pandas as national treasures. After living in Ocean Park for 17 years, Ying Ying made headlines on August 14, 2024, by giving birth to twin cubs. At nearly 19 years old, Ying Ying became the world’s oldest first-time panda mother, a testament to the successful breeding efforts at Ocean Park. The popular theme park is committed to panda conservation, providing a hopeful future for the vulnerable species.

The Arrival of An An and Ke Ke

In September 2024, two new pandas — An An and Ke Ke — were welcomed to Ocean Park as a gift from Beijing. These pandas bring the total number of pandas in Hong Kong to six, further boosting the city’s efforts in conservation education and sparking renewed interest in panda-related tourism. As Ocean Park continues to expand its panda program, the new arrivals are expected to play a role in attracting visitors and supporting panda preservation initiatives.

Without a doubt, giant pandas have strengthened Hong Kong’s connection to China. The cuddly and gentle creatures have become beloved icons, drawing millions of visitors to Ocean Park. With six pandas residing at the theme park, Hong Kong remains committed to breeding and conservation efforts as well as raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species and promoting environmental sustainability.

Visit the pandas at Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong. For more information, visit their website and follow the pandas on Instagram.