A milestone of leaving no trace in our countryside: Say goodbye to rubbish bins in country parks!
The amount of rubbish collected in country parks has been enormous in recent years. In 2014, 3800 tons of rubbish were collected in country parks. In collaboration with environmental groups and outdoor organizations, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department initiated the Country Parks Waste Reduction Campaign (campaign website: http://www.natureintouch.gov.hk/outdoor/activity/nit_2011/0/669), and started to remove rubbish bins at five popular areas and routes (Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, Ma On Shan Country Trail, Tai Lam Chung Country Trail, Dragon’s back on Hong Kong Island and Lantau Trail Stage 3), hoping the public could develop the habit of taking their wastes back after visiting the countryside.
Rubbish dumped in the countryside not only requires huge amount of manpower to deal with, but also changes wildlife behavior as the animals gradually rely on the rubbish for food, and pollutes the environment as the animals search the rubbish and wind blows the litter to every corner in the wild. Reducing wastes and taking them back home are not difficult tasks. Everybody can do it, right?
News coverage: Apple Daily 21st Sep, 2015 http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20150921/19303710
