For the smart consumers, recycling of consumables is set to be a growing lifestyle of the future.
Recycling operations covering an expanding, diverse range of consumables have fast taken off in a concerted effort to protect Mother Nature from being depleted of its precious resources.
An ardent advocate of sustainable consumption, the Consumer Council has conducted an overview of the landscape in the recycling field; the finding is informative and encouraging.
Traditionally, used clothes have been the most common consumables to be recycled in an organized system in the community. The impact of online shopping with consumers buying conveniently without inspecting the design, size and quality of the apparels at seemingly low prices, has inevitably created more used - or even unused - clothes than ever before.
In support of environment protection, the Home Affairs Department, in co-operation with the District Councils, launched the "Community Used Clothes Recycling Bank" scheme in 2006 to help people donate used clothes to charity. The "banks" are located in all 18 districts across the territory.
Participating as managers of the scheme are Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), Christian Action, the Salvation Army and Conservancy Association, these organization also run their own collection service.
In the year 2013-2014, for instance, the Salvation Army alone was the recipient of 2.6 million kg of used clothes which it recycled in donation to over 6,000 people.
The recycled used clothes were donated to people in need not only locally but also abroad to refugees or victims of natural calamities in Southeast Asia Countries. Indeed, nothing goes to waste. Those with lower quality will be recycled to make raw materials or even new products.
The growing recycling of used clothes has spawned an emerging market for second-hand apparel and fashion - not only for charity but monetary consideration.
A case in point is Hong Kong's first social enterprise, the Green Ladies, which selects and sets the price of the used items according to the style, texture and the extent of wear-and-tear. A maximum 30% of the selling price can be earned by the consignor if the item is sold.
Nowadays, practically all consumable products conceivable can be beneficially recycled. Apart from clothes, food items such as vegetables, dried food and canned food can be recycled saving those in good quality condition for donation to the poor and needy while using others for production of fertilizers.
Toys, electrical appliances, furniture, computers and books can also be recycled. For a comprehensive research of the recycle market, consumers can refer to the Hong Kong Government website "Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website" www.wastereduction.gov.hk.
Recycling of waste is also crucial in waste reduction. In Hong Kong, the daily amount of waste has reached 9,000 tonnes or a daily per capita domestic waste generation of 1.36 kg, which is higher than neighbouring cities of Tokyo, Taipei and Seoul.
Be an environmentally-conscious smart consumer, avoid excess consumption and put into practice the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This can save money and save our planet for you and your many next generations to come.
Indeed, recycling of consumables is a global phenomenon that has grown in momentum, leading to the emergence of a whole new market known as "collaborative consumption" and "sharing economy". Such new market comes in three different forms, namely redistribution markets, collaborative lifestyles and product service systems.
Examples like "oh yes, IT's FREE" provides an online platform for consumers to trade items they no longer need. "AirBnB" facilitates room rental by consumers who have spare rooms to be rented to those looking for places to stay at budget prices.
The Consumers International, the global federation of consumer organizations, believed these innovative economic models will have the support of consumers but cautioned that their rapid growth may lead to issues of safety and fair trade.
Legislative measures may need to be reviewed to regulate these new economic activities to strike a balance of the interests of all stakeholders concerned.
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- 2014.12.15