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

SEE witnesses in Shenzhen signing of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Botanical Garden Co-operation Agreement

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, today (July 27) witnessed in Shenzhen the signing of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Botanical Garden Co-operation Agreement between the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. The collaboration will create an in-depth integration model of ecological co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, laying the foundation for the joint application for the establishment of a National Botanical Garden by the two places in the future.

Witnessed by Mr Tse; the Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Dai Jintao; and Deputy Director of the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province Mr Liang Xiaodong, the Co-operation Agreement was signed by the Director-General of the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Xu Songming; the Director-General of the Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Zhang Guohong; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

According to the Co-operation Agreement, Hong Kong and Shenzhenwill collaborate in fields including the collection and protection of plant diversity, ecological protection and the building of ecological corridors, building of synergy and capability in scientific research, science promotion and education, as well as horticultural exhibitions. The two places will jointly conduct regional plant resource systematic surveys, establish an integrated conservation system for rare and endangered wild plants, and advance regional native vegetation restoration and ecosystem remediation.

In addition, the Co-operation Agreement will foster the launch of in-depth collaboration projects between two places in plant taxonomy, nature conservation and ecological restoration to promote professional talent exchange, the planning of horticultural exhibitions with distinctive national and regional features, and the launch of nature education and citizen science promotion activities.

Mr Tse visited the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in the afternoon with representatives from other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies to learn about Shenzhen's experience in developing a livable and green urban environment, exchanged views with other representatives and joined a mangrove planting event.

Mr Tse will attend the 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry tomorrow (July 28) to discuss topics such as forest conservation and sustainable management, the balance between ecological protection and livelihood, as well as technological innovation.

SEE witnesses in Shenzhen signing of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Botanical Garden Co-operation Agreement Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases