3 R's in Daily Life

Domestic waste refers to household waste, waste generated from daily activities in institutional premises and refuse collected from public cleansing services.  Therefore, domestic waste is the issue most related to the general public.   

Accommodating nearly 7.0 million population, domestic waste forms a major component of total solid waste generated everyday in Hong Kong.  The intake of domestic waste at the waste facilities, including refuse transfer stations and landfills, was 6,822 tonnes per day in 1998, accounting for 41 % of the total (16,500 tonnes per day in 1998).   

However, it is so disappointing that the recycling and recovery rate among the domestic waste is still low, with only around 8 % in 1999.

Indeed, "public participation" is very crucial to combat the problem of mounting domestic waste generation.  I am sure that many have heard the 3 R's, that is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  This 3 R's theory is a very useful guide for our daily life in order to minimize the generation of avoidable waste.  Some may think that it is hard to realize this, in fact, it is not.  We can start from a little part of our life, just little bit changing our habit to be more green.  Then it will already be helpful to the environment.  Do not overlook yourself, you can do it and help our environment.  In the following, I would like to raise some illustration how we can help to alleviate waste problems. 

In short-term, it is hoped that the intake at landfills can reduced and hence alleviate pressure on the overflowing of landfills.  In long-term, the overall waste generation from sources can be minimized.