HKU SPACE Community College

Higher Diploma Programme

First Semester 2010 2011

English for Academic and Professional Purposes (Part II)

Assignment 2: Research Report

The Attitudes towards Waste and Recycling among HKU SPACE

Community College Students.

To:

DAVID OSHLACK

From:

(STUDENTS NAMES)

Class:

CD 85-322-18-03 (01)

Submission Date: 19 November 2010

Table of Contents
Page
Table of contents

i - ii

List of figures

iii

1. INTRODUCTION

1-4

1.1 Abstract

1.2 Introduction

1.3 Methodology

3-4

2. DISCUSSION
2.1 Waste

5-21
5

2.1.1 Waste in Hong Kong

2.1.2 Excessive Use and Disposal of Plastic Bags

2.1.3 Use of Recycle Bags

2.1.4 Household Waste

2.1.5 Consequences of Waste

10

2.2 Recycling

13

2.2.1 Introduction to Recycling

11

2.2.2 Environmental Levy Scheme

12

2.2.3 Hong Kong Recycling Systems

14

2.2.4 Advantages of Recycling

16

2.2.5 Attitudes towards Recycling

17

3. CONCLUSION

18

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

19-20

4.1 Strengthen recycling policies in Hong Kong

19

4.2 Increase home recycling

19-20

5. REFERENCES

21-23

6. APPENDIX

24-27

APPENDIX 1

Questionnaire Sample

24-26

APPENDIX 2

Types of paper that can be recycled

27

ii

List of figures
Figure 1.1 Gender of respondents
Figure 1.2 Age group of respondents

3
3

Figure 2.1 Frequency of using plastic bags

Figure 2.2 Frequency of bring recycle bags

7
8

Figure 2.3 Reason for respondents not to bring recycle bag

Figure 2.4 The item causes the most household waste

10

Figure 2.5 Frequency of recycling household wastes

Figure 2.6 Consequences of plastic bag waste

11
12

Figure 2.7 The issue date of envrionmental levy

Figure 2.8 The reason of opposing the environmental levy
Figure 2.9 The impact of using plastic bags after environmental levy
Figure 2.10 Recycling programme joined
Figure 2.11 Useful recycling programme
Figure 2.12 The ways that people are aware of the programme
Figure 2.13 Advantages of recycling
Figure 2.14 How to handle household wastes before recycling

14
15
16
17
17
19
20
21

iii

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Abstract
This research investigates the behaviors and attitudes towards waste and recycling among students
of HKU SPACE Community College. 50 copies of questionnaire, separated in two parts regarding
wastes and recycling respectively, are distributed. The information is collected from questionnaire,
printed and online books periodicals and electronic sources.

The findings of the first part reveal students only recycle few household wastes used in daily lives.
Half of the respondents use plastic bags less than 3 times per week and bring recycle bags with
them. Generally, the students know that plastic bag wastes may affect the environment, natural
resources and both human beings and animals.

The findings of the second part illustrate almost all students have joined different kinds of recycling
programs. By far the largest proportion of students supports the environmental levy scheme on
plastic bags and reduces the use of plastic bags after issuing the scheme. The results also suggest
that many students comprehend recycling can create better environment and ameliorate global
warming.

This survey has provided recommendations for the government with the aim of raising the citizens
environmental consciousness and efficiency of the recycling programs.

1.2 Introduction
Every day, large amount of wastes are produced. There are two types of wastes, solid wastes and
special wastes. Solid wastes include municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction waste; and
other special wastes such as chemical waste and livestock waste (HKSAR). Besides the solid
wastes, other serious pollutions are aroused in Hong Kong, air, noise and water pollutions are the
good illustrations.

To deal with the imminent waste problem in Hong Kong, the 3 landfills are the main waste
management facilities. However, because of increasing waste disposal associated with economic
development, the 3 landfills will be full by 2015 (Lui, 2003). Therefore, waste minimization and
recycling have been adopted as the guiding directions for the design of waste management policies.
In the recent years, the government has tried their best to raise the environmental consciousness
levels of the citizens and launched several recycling programs to control the waste disposal.
Recycling and environment conservation become the hot topics among people. The consequences
of waste disposal and advantages of recycling are spread.

It seems that the majority of people understand recycling is beneficial to the environment. However,
according to the statistics from Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the recovery rate of
domestic wastes is only 31% in 2008 (HK's domestic waste recycling rate rises to 31 pct, 2009).
It reveals that environmental consciousnesses of people need to be improved. People need to learn
from the mistakes and put more attentions on environment conservation. Recycling starts with a
person who is willing to make extra effort to separate useful materials in waste. Everyone can
easily participate in this activity.

1.3 Methodology
The objective of this research report is to examine the behaviors and attitudes towards waste and
recycling among students of HKU SPACE Community College. The survey was conducted at
HPCC campus. 50 copies of questionnaire were issued within October and the responses rates are
100%. Questionnaire sample can be referred to the appendix 1.

A large proportion of respondents are females (see Figure 1.1). Besides, the data collected in the
survey mainly implicates the intentions of the recycling behaviors and attitudes among the students
aged 19 21 because 3 of fifths of the respondents belong to this age group (see Figure 1.2).

The questionnaire is arranged to two main parts, the attitudes towards waste and recycling. There
are total 19 questions about the two main parts, with 11 questions asking about attitudes towards
3

wastes and 8 questions asking about recycling. In fact, it may be difficult to collect the exact data
from the respondents on several questions, such as the usage rate of plastic bags and the recycling
rate of the household wastes per week. This perhaps is due to the memory lapse that respondents
treat the using plastic bags or recycling household waste as habitual activities and dont pay much
attention on them.

Besides the questionnaire, secondary research is conducted with the aim of making the survey more
thorough and convincing. The study consists of quantitative and qualitative data collection. The
supporting data are collected from (1) printed and online books, (2) periodicals and (3) electronic
sources.

2.

DISCUSSION

2.1

Waste

2.1.1 Waste in Hong Kong

The waste problem in Hong Kong has been intensified in the recent years. Diversified types of
solid waste are generated, including municipal solid waste (MSW) which comes from domestic,
commercial and industrial sources, construction waste and other special wastes such as chemical
and livestock waste (HKSAR Government). The territory produces 2,995 tonnes of kitchen waste
every day, the highest in Asia, according to Greeners Action. The following example, more than 6
million tonnes of MSW that are generated per year, exemplifies the alarming situation of the waste
loads in Hong Kong (HKSAR Government). This may be a result of consumption-led lifestyle and
the insufficient awareness of environment sustainability of the people. Expanding the landfill and
the grievous pollutions are the consequences of the waste problem. As the case stands, people who
lack recycling consciousness are the chef offenders of the deplorable waste problem in Hong Kong.
Although the government has issued assorted waste reduction strategies, the waste problem cannot
be solved unless people have the correct senses of environment conservation. The recycling rate of
domestic waste in Hong Kong rose from 16 percent to 31 percent during the year 2005 to 2008
(HK's domestic waste recycling rate rises to 31 pct, 2009). However, it is only a tip of the iceberg
compared with other cities such as San Francisco which has 70 percent recycling rate in 2009 (A
21st Century, 2009).

2.1.2 Excessive use and disposal of plastic bags

It is a common knowledge that plastic bags are not environmental friendly. However, according to
the Environmental Protection Department statistics, around 23 million plastic bags end up in our
landfills each day in 2008. The fact indicates that many people represent they are willing to protect
the environment, but it's just a lip service. The root problem probably is the local culture (Lung,
2008). People usually think protecting the environment is not their business. It directly
5

demonstrates that the government does the insufficient promotion for the recycling campaigns and
needs to put more emphases on conservation education to ameliorate the peoples minds. According
to the survey results conducted by Friends of the Earth (HK) in 2006, over half of the respondents
said convenience is that main reason of using disposable plastic bags, surprisingly, almost 20% of
respondents said they have no other choice if not using the disposables. The above results revealed
that the environmental consciousnesses among Hong Kong citizens are quite low.

Regarding the students surveyed, from Figure 2.1, almost half of the respondents use 1 3 times
per week, closely followed by 4 6 times per week that around 30 percent of the respondents have
selected it. From the findings, it could be suggested that many people use few plastic bags per week.
However, compared to the fact that the enormous amount of the plastic bags are sent to the landfill,
it probably reveals that the plastic bags are rarely recycled. This is consistent with the results of
survey released by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in June, 2010 regarding the consumers
attitudes towards the eco-impact of shopping bags, in which around 40% of the respondents only
recycle 1 10% of the plastic bags they use.

2.1.3 Use of recycle bags

Recycle bag is a sort of shopping bag which is reusable. The raw material of making recycle bags
are thick plastic and fabric, for example, canvas or woven (Gamerman, 2008). In addition, many
6

recycle bags are printed with corporate logos, slogans. Generally, people think it is more
environmental friendly to use recycle bags than the plastic bags. However, Green Sense emphasizes
that recycle bags is not such environmental friendly and it could become the risk of our
environment because each recycle bag needs 10 times more plastic to produce than the throwaway
one. Each environmental friendly recycle bag covers its costs and environmental expenses only if it
is reused more than 10 times (Qiu, 2010).
The research director at Natural Capitalism Solutions, Nick Sterling, also indicates that many
recycle bags is made from nonwoven polypropylene which need 28 times more energy to produce
compared with the normal disposability bags (Gamerman, 2008).

According to the student surveyed, a plurality of respondent possess less than five recycle bags,
few of them possess more than 11 recycle bag. Although many respondents possess 1 5 recycle
bag, they only bring their recycle bags occasionally (see Figure 2.3). This could be suggested that
respondents not always reuse their recycle bags. This corresponds to the consumer survey results of
Hilex Poly Co., in which only 10% of their consumer reuse the recycle bags and bring disposable
bags back to the grocery store for recycling (Gamerman, 2008). People who answered not to bring
the recycle bags with them explain their reasons. 6 respondents out of 8 say that the main reason is
that it is easy to consume plastic shopping bags and the rest think bringing recycle bag is not
user-friendly (see Figure 2.3).

2.1.4 Household waste

Household waste is waste that is engender form our day to day homely operations (Smith, 2010). It
can be everything from household, for instance, paper, plastic bottles, metal cans, fluorescent lamp
and plastic bags. Many environmental organizations like Greenpeace try to get people to consider
the problem of rising household waste disposal as everyone can do something to reduce the waste
and meliorate the environment.

According to the surveys result form Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development,
Hong Kong is the most wasteful place in the world. On average, Hong Kong people produced twice
more as much rubbish as those in Japan In 2009, Hong Kong people had thrown away 6.45 million
tonnes of waste in landfills. Moreover, 2 million tonnes of wastes were produced from households,
while only a small amount of wastes had been recycled (Cheung 2010).

As can been seen from Figure 2.4, it indicates that over half of the respondents think that paper
causes the largest amount of household wastes. It directly illustrates paper is less recycled
compared with other household waste sources. The reasons for this result may also on the grounds
of the difficulties to sort the types of paper that can be recycled. Types of paper that can be recycled
8

refer to Appendix 2. The 25% of respondents believe plastic bag is the most wasteful. It shows that
it is urgent for the government, plastic bag producers and consumers to take their responsibilities to
solve the problem regarding the excess use of plastic bags.

Qiu (2010) notes that the Hong Kong government is considering enlarging the Tseung Kwan O
landfill because the other three landfills will be full within five years. Therefore, a green group
suggests that the Hong Kong government should charge for the disposal of household waste
regarding the "polluters pay" principle under the Producer Responsibility Scheme to encourage the
citizens to recycle and sort kitchen trash before throwing it away. The environmental groups believe
it can decrease the amount of household wastes and the use of landfill.

Figure 2.5, it indicates only a few respondents recycle household waste more than 10 times a week.
Also there are 24% of respondents who express that they are not recycling any household waste.
The result is in line with the low recycling rate, 31% in 2008. It seems that people generally dont
have adequate environmental consciousness.

2.1.5 Consequences of wastes

According to the EPD survey, the quantities of solid waste disposed of at landfills are decreasing
gradually. Discussed in section 2.1.4, municipal solid wastes (MSW) cause the highest proportion
in the total waste each year. Wastes are sent to landfill or recycled at the end. The most common
consequence is health risk, involving contamination of soil and water by leachate from landfills and
by emissions of toxic materials from incinerators (Gochfeld, 2010). Solid waste disposed in landfill
usually incurred many complex biochemical and physical processes, which lead to the production
of both liquid and gaseous emissions (International Waste Working Group, 2010). Generally, waste
disposal leads to environmental resource base damage, global warming and so on. Because the
respondents reach the MSW most in their daily life, consequences of MSW would be mainly
discussed in the following.

Among the 50 respondents, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution of extracting and refining
petroleum or natural gas are chosen by 38 and 28 respondents respectively. It could be suggested
that most of the respondents know that global warming and environmental resource base damages
are the consequences of plastic bag waste. Nearly 30% of respondents said marine animals are also
affected. Consequently, plastic bag wastes may affect the environment, natural resources and
organisms, both human and animals.
10

2.2 Recycling
2.2.1 Introduction to recycling
Luis study (2010) suggests that recycling is one of the most rapidly and successfully evolving
procedures of environmental conservation, and that the increasing environmental awareness caused
by the green movement has led to changes in attitude towards our traditionally wasteful society. He
goes on to assert that the government, waste producers and consumers should take the
responsibilities to deal with the waste problems and maintain a better environment for the next
generation. The first recycling scheme issued in Hong Kong was in 1998 (Lui, 2010). A Waste
Reduction Framework Plan was launched in 1998 which adopted recycling as one of the major
elements for waste policy. Two major types of barriers to waste recycling and reduction are
technical barriers and psychological barriers (Chung and Poon, 2010, p.25). Technical barriers
include lack of appropriate information or conveniently located bins. Psychological barriers include
the attitude of being troubled, and that too little waste was involved to be worth the effort.

11

2.2.2 Environmental Levy Scheme

With effected from July 7, 2009, environmental levy on plastic shopping bags is issued. Retailers,
including chain stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and drug stores, are required to charge
customers for a tax of 50 cents HKD per plastic bag (Lung, 2010). It adopts the "polluters pay"
principle under the Producer Responsibility Scheme. The Environmental Protection Department
held several exhibitions in different districts with a view to display more information and gather
more ideas about levy scheme. However, some retail stores reacted negatively to the environmental
levy. Greeners Action visited some of the retail store in Hong Kong in the implementation date and
discovered some manufacturers have pre-packaged to avoid the plastic bag levy (Siu, 2010).

Regarding our research, 68% of respondents report the right date of environmental levy (see Figure
2.7). It could be suggested that the environmental levy is a hot issue and most of the respondents
were concerned about the scheme.

Support rate of the environmental levy

Different parties have distinct views to the environmental levy. Many retailers are against charging
policy because it affects the sales volume (Chui, 2010). However, the general public on the whole
supports the environmental levy. This can be exemplified by the decreasing number of the
per-capita disposal figure of plastic shopping bags which is over 1.8 per person per day in 2009 (as
12

compared to the per-capita disposal figure of 3 per person per day in 2005), according to the
research report of the Waste Management Policy Division of the EPD. The student survey reveals
that students support the environmental levy somewhat. This is illustrated by the survey results that
90% of respondents support the environmental levy but only 36% of respondents think that all
shops should charge for the tax.

As for the reasons of opposing the environmental levy, 3 respondents out of 5 think it is a sin tax
and only force people to do their responsibilities (see Figure 2.8). The declining use of plastics bags
is by virtue of the phenomenon that people only want to reduce expense, but not to protect the
environment. It is helpless to raise people's awareness on environment conservation.

Effectiveness of the environmental levy

The Secretary for the Environment said the number of plastic bags distributed by retailers is 90%
less than before (First anniversary of plastic bag levy sees encouraging results, 2010). Many
people are accustomed to bring recycle bags nowadays. Only less than 30% of customers still ask
for plastic bags after issuing the levy.

13

In the light of the government survey, the majority of Hong Kong citizens reduce the use of plastic
bags after issuing the environmental levy Shopping Bags (The Environmental Levy Scheme for
Plastic Related Statistics, 2010). The results of the student survey are consistent with the
government survey. 76% of respondents decrease using plastic bags (see Figure 2.9).

2.2.3 Hong Kong Recycling Systems

The three landfills in Hong Kong which were developed in early 90's following the Waste Disposal
Plan, occupy a total of 270 hectares of land (Lui, 2010). If there are no any treatments or remedies,
the landfills will run out of space in no time. Therefore, people are more conscious on recycling.
The domestic waste recovery is increasing in Hong Kong due to the diversified recycling programs
(Domestic waste recovery jumps to 35%,2010). The following are some of the common recycling
programmes.
Table 2.1
Name
Plastic Bottle
Programme

Year of Launch Recyclables

Recycling 2005

Source
Separation
Domestic Waste

of 2005

Fluorescent
Lamp 2008
Recycling Programme

Plastic Bottles
Paper, Metal Cans, Plastic
Bottles and Plastic Bags
Fluorescent lamps

14

Recycling programmes joined

Regarding the student survey, from Figure 2.10, 30 respondents join the Plastic Bottles Recycling
Programme and 15 of people join the Source Separation of Domestic Waste. It shows that most of
the students have joined the recycling programmes, even some students join two or more recycling
programmes.

Efficiency of the recycling programmes

On the other hand, many recycling programmes are increased as there is no single solution to solve
the recycling problem and support all programmes through the Government, but it may useless for
the environment. To learn the efficiency of the methods, respondents are asked for stating which
programme is useful.

Number of respondents

Figure 2.11 Useful recycling programme

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Computer Fluorescent Plastic Bottles Recycling of
Source
Recycling
Lamp
Recycling Rechargeable Separation o
Programme Recycling Programme
Battery
Domestic
Programme
Waste

15

From the above graph, 24 and 21 people think Plastic Bottles Recycling Programme and Source
Separation of Domestic Waste are useful for recycling respectively. It is consistent with the results
of the EPD. According the annual report of 2009, Source Separation of Domestic Waste is a major
contributor to the reduction of domestic waste. By the end of 2009, 1256 housing estates were
enrolled in the Programme against a target of 1140, representing 4.7 million people or 67% of Hong
Kongs population (EPD). It shows that the programme encourages residents to join and help to
protect the environment successfully.

Promotion channels of the recycling programmes

Besides launching the recycling programme, the government promotes environmental
consciousness and raises peoples awareness through television, electronic media, and so on. To
understand the efficiency of each method, respondents are asked for replying where they get the
information about the recycling programme.
As regards our respondents, 25, 21 and 18 people are aware of the programmes through television,
estate promotions and school respectively. From the findings, the majority of the respondents are
aware of the programmes through multimedia. This may somehow affect the promotion channels
which the government is used to encourage the environmental conservation.

2.2.4 Advantages of recycling

The government launches many policies and recycling programmes, for instance, plastic bag levy
scheme, to change the community attitudes towards waste. Actually, recycling different wastes
leads to different advantages to the environment and the community. People joined various
recycling programmes and realized the importance of participating in waste recycling. However, do
people really know the benefits of recycling?
The results in Figure 2.13 imply the three most selected advantages of recycling are shown. They
are creating better environment, solving global warming and slowing down the speed of landfill
16

which are chosen by 34, 30 and 21 respondents respectively. However, only few respondents
conceive that preventing natural disaster and saving natural animals are the advantages of
recycling.

2.2.5 Attitudes towards recycling

Some environmental groups think that the considerably low recovery rate is due to the
governments lack of policy framework for waste management (Chu & Lau, 2005). The result
indirectly reflects that the environmental awareness of the Hong Kong people is conceivably low.
Friends of the Earth points out that the Polluter Pays Principle deceives the citizens that only
consumers have to take responsibilities on waste producing. Moreover, the Domestic Waste
recycling system is not as efficient as expect, the low recovery rate compared with South Korea
exemplifies this.
According the results from Figure2.10, respondents join several recycling programmes. It is worthy
to understand that whether they take the right actions when they handle the household wastes. From
the following figure, almost half of the respondents would not wash the plastic bottles and sort out
the plastic bags. The results reflect that the respondents do not have enough knowledge regarding
recycling.
17

3. CONCLUSION
In this research, we try to find the behavior and attitude towards waste and recycling among HKU
SPACE Community College students. The data collected has revealed their attitudes towards waste
disposals, mainly regarding municipal solid waste and their environmental consciousnesses.

The research shows that students are more aware of environment conservation and actively
participate in different kinds of recycling programmes. Although most of the students try to reduce
waste disposal and bring recycle bags with them, there are still room for improvement. It is because
more than half of the students recycle MSW less than 5 times per week. Ordinarily, the
consequences of wastes and advantages of recycling are well spread among the students. The
majority of students concern about the recycling policy, for instance, the environmental levy on
plastic bags. It indirectly reveals that many students understand they are responsible to improve the
environment and recycle the wastes, but they do not take action. It seems that the students
environmental consciousness is raising and consequently, the recovery rate of recyclables will
gradually increase in the coming year.
18

As recycling becomes a hot issue recently and affect all people in Hong Kong, several
recommendations on how the government and students raise efficiency of the recycling programs
and the environmental consciousness respectively are provided.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Strengthen recycling policies in Hong Kong
If the government can take the first step to spread the advantages of recycling, it would be more
convincing to encourage the citizens to participate in the recycling programme. Lui suggests the
following methods to strengthen recycling policies:
1. Define target group and size of population clearly each program so that the participants can
organize themselves to rise to cooperation levels.
2. Set up more collection points and recycling bins
3. Increase the information flow to let participants have the updated information, such as provision
of a monthly statement telling the number of bags or how much of recyclable materials being
collected.
4. Promote the unpopular recycling program through more channels
5. Use reward or penalty basis strategy to increase recycling behavior
Besides the above methods suggested by Lui, Ashok also advices various methods. He suggests
that the government can limit the production of plastic bags and increase the number of recycling
bins in every building.

4.2 Increase home recycling

Apart from the above suggestions to the government and waste producers, students can also take
action to become a significant force in recycling. People all over the world suggest some methods
on wikiHow websites, the following steps may also help the consumers in Hong Kong to increase
home recycling.
19

1.

Study your local recycling options

Actually, Source Separation of Domestic Waste recycling program has been

employed in many housing estates. There are even numerous recycling bins on the
streets and shopping malls. Therefore, citizens in fact can easily recycle their
domestic wastes, including paper, plastic bottles, plastic bags and metal cans.

2.

Gather and prepare your recyclables

It may be annoying to bring the recyclable domestic wastes to recycling bins every
day. Therefore, people can firstly collect and sort the same kind of recyclable
domestic wastes together and put them into the recycling bins whenever you like.

3.

Take action and make recycling fun

People can treat recycling as a family pastime and enlist everyone to consider if
something could be recycled instead of thrown away. Sometimes, there are more
motivation factors in a group activity than an individual action. The effectiveness is
also increased if the whole family recycles the wastes.

4.

Talk and share about recycling

Students can discuss the benefits of recycling which include helping the environment
and cutting down on your household garbage volume with his/her family. This helps
the family members become familiar with the various classes of recyclables,
including the various numbers on plastic. Therefore, students will get more
knowledge about recycling besides those from the government promotions and
educations.

20

References
A 21st Century Program for Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Sustainable Jobs. (2009). Recycling
Works. Retrieved from http://www.recyclingworkscampaign.org/?page_id=20
Annual update 2009 - Programme on Source Separation of Domestic Waste. (2 Nov. 2010) Hong
Kong Waste Reduction Website. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en/ _htm
Bag levy hitting the poor. (17 Nov 2009), The Standard. Retrieved from http://www.
thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=20&art_id=90631&sid=26115108&con_type=1
&d_str=20091117&sear_year=2009
Cheung, Chi-fai. (2010, October 26). Refuse Mountain makes HK most wasteful place in world.
South China Morning Post, p. A1.
Chu, Hahn, & Lau, Edwin. (2005). Waste Reduction = Cost Reduction A Time to Act
Friends of the Earth (HK)'s Response to the Policy Framework for Municipal Solid Waste
Management. Friends of the Earth (HK). Retrieved from http://www.foe.org.hk/
welcome/geten.asp?language=en&id_path=1,%207,%2028,%20150,%202924,%203131
Chui, Timothy. (2010, Nov 5). Double standard seen in bag levy. The Standard. Retrieved from
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=81119&sid=23529220&co
n_type=1&d_str=20090421&sear_year=2009
Chung, S. S. & Poon C. S. (1995) International development abstracts 21.
Domestic waste recovery jumps to 35%.(2010, Nov 6) news.gov.hk. Retrieved from
http://www.news.gov.hk/encategory/environment/1006/html/100526en0401.htm
Environmental levy on plastic shopping bags proposed. (2010, Nov 5). Environmental Protection
Department. Retrieved from http://www.epd.gov.hk/ epd/english/news_events/press/presshtm
Gamerman, Ellen. (2008, Sept 26). An Inconvenient Bag. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122238422541876879.html
Gochfeld, Michael. (2010, Nov 7). Municipal Solid Waste. answer.com. Retrieved from http://www.
answers.com/topic/municipal-solid-waste

21

Hong Kong To Ban Free Plastic Bags. (2009, May 8) Chinacsr.com. Retrieved from
http://www.chinacsr.com/en/2009/05/08/5202-hong-kong-to-ban-free-plastic-bags
HK's domestic waste recycling rate rises to 31 pct. (2009, Aug 21). Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved
from http://www.china.org.cn/government/local_governments/
Hong Kong Environment, Waste. (2010, Nov 10). Environmental Protection Department. Retrieved
from <http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/waste_maincontent.html
How to Increase Recycling. (2010, Oct 31) wikihow.com. Retrieved from http://www.wikihow.com/
Increase-Recycling
International Waste Working Group. Environmental Impact Assessment Of Municipal Solid Waste
Landfills: A Case Study From Jordan. (2010, 9 Nov). ask-eu.com. Retrieved from http://www.
ask-eu.com/2018
Levy scheme on plastic shopping bags to start in July. (2010, Nov 5). news.gov.hk. Retrieved from
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200905/24/P200905220253.htm
Li, Yi. (2010). Eco-Impact of Shopping Bags: Consumer Attitude and Governmental Policies.
Journal of Sustainable Development. Retrieved from http://www.ccsenet.org/ journal/index.
php /jsd/article/viewFile/5478/5052
Lui, Michael. (2003). A Study of the Recycling of Domestic Solid Waste in Hong Kong.
The University of Hong Kong Libraries Retrieved from http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/
B31967280
Lung, Elmy. (2008, May 12). Green Group Finds HK's Plastic Bag Problem Suffocating.
jmsc.hku.hk. Retrieved from http://jmsc.hku.hk/hkstories/content/view/617/3038/
Maden, Ashok. (2009, 17 Nov). Bag levy hitting the poor. The Standard. Retrieved from http://
www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=20&art_id=90631&sid=26115108&con_ty
pe=1&d_str=20091117&sear_year=2009
No single solution to the problem of waste in Hong Kong. (2000, 25 March). info.gov.hk. Retrieved
from http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200003/25/0325151.htm

22

Qiu, Maggie. (2010, 4 June). Planet-saving bag not so eco-smart. The Standard. Retrieved from
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=99002&sid=28468228&c
on_type=1&d_str=20100604&sear_year=2010
Qiu, Maggie. (2010, 21 June). Green group calls for household trash tax. The Standard. Retrieved
from http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_ id=99580&sid=286 508
56&con _type=1&d_str=20100621&sear_year=2010
Siu, Beatrice. (2009, March 4). Million thanks as savings in bag for stores. The Standard. Retrieved
from http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=79080&sid=2296 0
74&con_type=1&d_str=20090304&sear_year=2009
Siu, Phila. (2009, 3 Aug). Bag-levy bandits pile on plastic. The Standard. Retrieved from http:// ww
w.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=85717&sid=24802360&con_type=1
&d_str=20090803&sear_year=2009
Smith, S.E. (2010, Sept 28). What is Household Waste? wisegeek.com. Retrieved from http://www.
wisegeek.com/what-is-household-waste.htm>.
Source Separation of Domestic Waste Introduction. (2010, Nov 12). Environmental Protection
Department. Retrieved from https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/
Time to Stop Disposables, Hong Kong people voice their opinions on the overwhelming use of
one-off disposable products. Friends of the Earth (HK), Retrieved from http://www.foe.org.hk/
welcome/geten.asp?id_path=1,%207,%2028,%20150,%203155,%203166
Waste and Recycling in Hong Kong.(2009, Sept). HK Special Administrative Region
Government. Retrieved from http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/waste/wasterecycin
hk.htm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (2009, April 22). Frequently Asked Questions About
Plastic Shopping Bags. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved from http://
dnr. wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/issues/plasticbagsFAQ.htm#impacts
Zhang, Jane. (2009, April 12). No plastic bags everyday activity in Hong Kong. Groundreport.
Retrieved from http://www.groundreport.com/Lifestyle/-No-plastic-bags-everyday-activity-inHong-Kong/

23

5. APPENDIX

Attitudes towards Waste and Recycling

We are now doing a research on the attitudes towards waste and recycling among HKU SPACE
Community College students. Please take a moment to complete this questionnaire. Personal
information will be kept strictly confidential. Thank you for your cooperation.
How to fill in the questionnaire:

1. For every question below, please mark a in the box that best reflects your opinion.
2. If you wish to express other opinions, please do so using the blank space.
3. Multiple answers are allowed in questions marked with *.

Part 1 Personal Information

1. Gender

Male

Female

2. Age

16-18

22-24

19-21

25 or above

Part 2 Waste and Recycling

3. How often do you use plastic bags?

Never

4 6 times per week

9 or above times per week

1 3 times per week

7 9 times per week

4. How many recycle bag do you have?

0

1-5

11-1

16 or above

6-10

5. How often do you bring recycle bags with you?

Always (Please refer to question 7)
Sometimes (Please refer to question 7)

Never
6. Why dont you bring eco bag/ recycle bag?*

Old fashioned / design

Not user-friendly

Peer pressure

Easy to consume plastic shopping bags

Others

7. When did the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags start?

2009/03

2009/07

2009/11
24

8. Do you support the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags?

Yes (Please refer to question 10)

No

9. Why dont you support the environmental levy?*

The levy (50 cents) is cheap

Kind of sin tax (Only does your responsibility)

No plastic shopping bag recycling programme
10. How does environmental levy on plastic shopping bags affect your consumption behavior of
using plastic shopping bags?

Decrease using plastic bags

No effect

Increase using plastic bags

11. Do you think all shops should charge the environmental levy on plastic shopping bags?

Yes

No
12. Which item causes the most household waste?

Paper (Including newspaper)

Plastic bags

Metal cans

Others

Plastic bottles

13. How often do you recycle (Not reuse) your household waste (Paper, cans and plastic bottles)?

None

1 5 times per week

6 10 times per week

10 15 times per week

15 or above times per week
14. What would you do before putting household waste into recycling bins?*
Wash the plastic bottle
Sort out and wash the plastic bag
Sort out papers that cannot be recycled(E.g. Plastic-coated paper)
None of the above

15. What do you think are the consequence(s) of plastic shopping bag waste? *

Death of many marine animals

Greenhouse gas emissions

Pollution of extracting and refining petroleum or natural gas

Breaking down to smaller fragments which readily soak up toxins

Absorbing pre-existing organic pollutants

Being degraded over nearly 100 years
25

16. What do you think are the advantage(s) of recycling? *

Create better environment

Help solve global warming

Preserve resources
Prevent natural disaster (E.g. Flooding)
Save energy
Save natural animals
Slow down the speed of landfill

17. Which programme(s) has/have you joined before?*

Computer Recycling Programme

Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme

Plastic Bottles Recycling Programme

Recycling of Rechargeable Battery

Source Separation of Domestic Waste

Others

18. Which programme(s) listed in Question 17 do you think is/are useful? *

Computer Recycling Programme

Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Programme

Plastic Bottles Recycling Programme

Recycling of Rechargeable Battery

Source Separation of Domestic Waste
19. How are you aware of the programmes? *

Estate Promotion

Forum

Newspaper

School

Others

Magazine

Television

Thank you very much!

26

APPENDIX 2

Types of paper that can be recycled

27