Hong Kong Launches Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony to Promote Green Initiatives and Environmental Protection

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment) attends Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony

The Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung, today (June 7) officiated at the Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony. Officiating guests included the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Ye Shuiqiu; the Level II Bureau Rank Official of Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Shuangxi; the Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Ip Kuong-lam; and the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui.

To echo the National Event on the Environment Day 2026 and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the EPD launched the Beautiful Hong Kong Green Fest starting from June 1 and organised the annual event Recycling Day, with a view to encouraging public participation in waste reduction at source and waste separation and recycling.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cheung said that the current-term Government is implementing environmental protection policies in full steam, striving to achieve carbon neutrality, protecting biodiversity, and making Hong Kong a demonstration base for green technologies and a low-carbon and liveable city. On waste reduction and recycling, Hong Kong has already made substantial progress. The municipal solid waste disposal quantity has declined for four consecutive years since 2021, while the recycling rate continues to rise. He sincerely invites members of the public to actively participate in the Recycling Day activities, integrate waste reduction and recycling into daily lives, and work together towards the vision of "Zero Landfill".

The Recycling Day activities include the Environment Day cum Recycling Day Carnival held today, promotional activities at 12 GREEN@COMMUNITY Recycling Stations over the territory and in collaboration with over 200 Recycling Day co-operative partners in June, as well as a creative short film competition. The EPD also offered the Environment Day 2X GREEN$ Rewards from June 5 to today, where members of the public can earn double GREEN$ points when they recycle at the GREEN@COMMUNITY community recycling network. For details, please visit www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en-hk/RecyclingDay2026.

The Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony was held today (June 7). Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung (third right), and other officiating guests visiting booths at the venue. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony was held today (June 7). Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung, delivering a speech at the launching ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony was held today (June 7). Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung (sixth left); the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Ye Shuiqiu (fifth left); the Level II Bureau Rank Official of Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Shuangxi (fifth right); the Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Ip Kuong-lam (fourth left); the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs, Ms Judy Chan (third left) and Ms Elizabeth Quat (fourth right); the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui (third right); the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (1), Dr Vanessa Au (second right); the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (2), Mr Derek Lai (first right); the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (Waste Reduction), Mr Kenneth Cheng (second left); and the Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee, Ms Grace Kwok (first left) taking a photo at the launching ceremony. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Environment Day cum Recycling Day Launching Ceremony was held today (June 7). Photo shows the officiating guests the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Environment), Mr Eddie Cheung (third left); the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Mr Ye Shuiqiu (second left); the Level II Bureau Rank Official of Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, Mr Wu Shuangxi (second right); the Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Ip Kuong-lam (first left); and the Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui (first right), taking a photo with Big Waster mascot. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 8) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the 37-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 7) and seized 31 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $159,000 and a duty potential of about $105,100, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases