Letter to the Editor of SCMP - Reponse to readers' letters on marine refuse
Dear Sir,
Two readers have recently written about refuse found on beaches ("Two-step plan for plastic on our beaches", January 23, and "Addressing the plastic issue on our beaches", January 25). The Environment Bureau fully recognises the importance of keeping our shorelines clean and has set up an Inter-departmental Working Group on Clean Shorelines to coordinate efforts of various departments in this area.
Based on the survey findings of our Marine Refuse Study which was commissioned in March 2013, more than 70% of our marine refuse, such as plastic and foamed plastic items, which are single-use in nature, comes from local shoreline and recreational activities. Therefore, there is a need for us to promote the education of the public at large on keeping our shorelines clean.
We have launched TV and radio announcements and posters to spread in the community the message “Protect our coast, Leave no trace”. We also work with community groups to organize beach cleanups and promotional activities to raise awareness on keeping our shorelines clean.
On educating our younger generation, in addition to organizing slogan, comics and video filming competitions for primary and secondary schools, we are collaborating with the Environmental Campaign Committee on a new beach cleanup programme “Marine Conservation, Cleaner and Greener Shorelines” under the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme to educate students about the status and causes of shoreline pollution as well as the practical actions to protect our shorelines.
The Environmental Protection Department’s Environment and Conservation Fund also collaborates with green groups on a “Coastal Watch” project to make people cherish our seas, beaches and coastlines.
We have set up an online platform http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/clean_shorelines/index-2.html to provide information on cleaning our shorelines and to publicise various upcoming cleanup events. Anyone interested in organizing cleanups or joining the activities is most welcome to contact us through our website.
This year, we will continue with our public education efforts - not only should we not litter, but we should also reduce waste at source, avoid using single-use items and recycle to help keep our shorelines clean. This will be much more effective, and important, than just cleaning up the beaches. The community must work together.
Ms Amy Yuen
Assistant Director (Water Policy)
Environmental Protection Department