Expanded GREEN$ ePIS Now Allows Points Conversion to MoneyBack E-Points for Greater Recycling Incentives.

GREEN$ x MoneyBack Point Conversion boosts recycling appeal

To enhance the attractiveness of the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme (GREEN$ ePIS) and to encourage the public to use the Environmental Protection Department (EPD)'s community recycling facilities to participate in recycling, the GREEN$ ePIS introduced a new electronic redemption option in February last year, allowing participants to convert their GREEN$ Points for a wider variety of electronic rewards. Recently, the programme has been further expanded to include the conversion of GREEN$ Points into e-points on the retail reward platform MoneyBack.

The Acting Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Kenneth Cheng, today (April 10) visited the relocated GREEN@TUEN MUN to observe its operation and brief the Chairman and representatives of the Tuen Mun District Council about the new feature of GREEN$ ePIS, which allows conversion of GREEN$ Points to MoneyBack e-points.

Mr Cheng said, "The gift redemption of GREEN$ ePIS is keeping pace with the times and is gradually transitioning into a digital form. In addition to rewards such as MTR tickets and local eco-tours, members of the public can now convert GREEN$ Points to MoneyBack e-points with the GREEN$ mobile app anytime and anywhere, allowing them to redeem gifts freely at more than 500 supermarkets and retail stores in the territory. This new electronic redemption option has been well received by members of the public since its trial launch last December, and is expected to encourage greater public participation in recycling, further strengthening the green culture of waste reduction and recycling in Hong Kong."

To support the full rollout of the new point redemption function of the GREEN$ ePIS, the operator of MoneyBack, AS Watson Group, has announced the launch of an extra 1 million MoneyBack time-limited e-points rewards and exclusive GREEN$ ePIS green offers at the end of April for redemption of food, personal care products and electrical appliances vouchers, encouraging the public to participate in recycling and use the GREEN$ Points conversion feature more frequently.

As well, GREEN@TUEN MUN has been relocated to its new site at 5 Lung Chak Road. Mr Cheng visited the facilities at the new location today to observe its operation together with representatives of the Tuen Mun District Council. He also shared with the district councillors the latest developments of the GREEN@COMMUNITY recycling network.

The EPD first launched the Recycling Stations project in 2015, and currently there are 12 Recycling Stations across Hong Kong. Besides providing community recycling services, the Recycling Stations also serve to instil a green lifestyle within the community through public education and environmental activities. To support the MTR Tuen Mun South Extension project, GREEN@TUEN MUN was relocated from the original site on Tuen Yee Street to the new location on Lung Chak Road, where it commenced operation on March 19.

Mr Cheng said that, the EPD has expedited the expansion of the community recycling network since 2020. Alongside the Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots have been progressively set up in all 18 districts to support residents living in clusters of residential buildings (including single-block residential buildings and "three-nil" buildings) that are lacking space for on-site recycling setups, as well as those in public rental housing estates, to practice separation at source and clean recycling. Together with over 100 sets of smart recycling bins installed in various locations across Hong Kong, the number of public collection points has now reached more than 800, providing greater convenience for the public to participate in recycling.

For details about the GREEN$ ePIS and electronic redemption, please visit the GREEN$ mobile app or the Hong Kong Waste Reduction Website: www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/waste-reduction-programme/green-electronic-participation-incentive-scheme.

GREEN$ x MoneyBack Point Conversion boosts recycling appeal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GREEN$ x MoneyBack Point Conversion boosts recycling appeal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GREEN$ x MoneyBack Point Conversion boosts recycling appeal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

GREEN$ x MoneyBack Point Conversion boosts recycling appeal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 1), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10 of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof theFEHD.

Source: AI-found images