Service arrangements of GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities during Lunar New Year
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 9) announced the service arrangements of GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities during the Lunar New Year (LNY) this year.
The GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities, Photo source: wastereduction.gov.hk
To facilitate the public in recycling their recyclables generated during the year-end clean-up, the EPD will maintain the normal recycling services of all GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities until February 15. The following arrangements will be implemented at various GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities from February 16 to 20.
- February 16: "GREEN@ABERDEEN" and "GREEN@LUEN WO HUI" located inside markets will close at 6pm, other Recycling Stores will close at 7pm, and all night-time Recycling Spots will be closed;
- February 17 - 19: All Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores and Recycling Spots will be closed; and
- February 20: All GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities will resume normal services.
A spokesman for the EPD said,"During the closure of the Recycling Stores, the public may still place recyclables into the self-service recycling cage trolleys/receptacles provided outside some of the Recycling Stores (no GREEN$ services). People should not leave the recyclables outside the stores or on the street when the self-service recycling facilities are full, to avoid impact on nearby residents and the environment. The operators of Recycling Stores will regularly monitor the conditions of self-service facilities every day and clear the recyclables as needed. In addition, during the closure of Recycling Stations, the public can place recyclables into the self-service recycling facilities inside the stations or outside the gates and may seek assistance from the security guards stationed at the facilities if needed."
The spokesman stressed that the EPD has discussed with the operators to strengthen the monitoring of conditions outside each recycling point during the closure over the LNY holidays, including through CCTV and regular inspections. The operators will deploy staff to promptly clear recyclables where required.
As for food waste recycling, the public can continue to use the smart food waste recycling bins and earn GREEN$ rewards as usual.
For the operating hours and other information of individual GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities during the LNY period, please visit the website (www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/waste-reduction-programme/greencommunity)as well as the dedicated Facebook pages of the respective facilities.
The GREEN@COMMUNITY facilities, Photo source: wastereduction.gov.hk
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (February 9) reminded members of the public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online without a required licence.
A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Some plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction due to over-exploitation, and the import and export of such species are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) is the local legislation that gives effect to CITES in Hong Kong. Under the Ordinance, the import, export, re-export or possession of endangered animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives, is subject to control under a licensing system."
Any person who contravenes the Ordinance, even for non-commercial purposes, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction, and the specimens will also be forfeited. More than 500 related seizures were made in 2025. The specimens seized included orchids (including artificially propagated species such as moth orchid), American ginseng, dried seahorses, gastrodia, dendrobium and shark fins of scheduled shark species.
"As the Chinese New Year approaches, there have been a number of recent cases in which members of the public were intercepted by Hong Kong Customs for bringing orchids into Hong Kong from the Chinese Mainland. Members of the public should pay attention to whether the plant and animal products they intend to buy from places outside Hong Kong (including those purchased online) are endangered species. It might not be easy to identify whether the wildlife products originate from endangered species. Therefore, members of the public are advised not to buy such items if they cannot ascertain whether the items are subject to control," the spokesman continued.
The Government is committed to the protection of endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely together and step up their enforcement in combating the illegal trade in endangered species. For information on endangered species, please call 1823 or visit www.cites.hk.
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
AFCD reminds public not to bring endangered species into Hong Kong or purchase them online illegally Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
