The Environment Bureau (ENB) have introduced the Waste Disposal (Charging for Municipal Solid Waste) (Amendment) Bill 2018 into the Legislative Council (LegCo) on November 14. The Bill proposes to adopt two charging modes, namely "charging by designated garbage bags" and "charging by weight", to implement municipal solid waste (MSW) charging based on the "polluter-pays" principle and the existing waste collection system. For implementation arrangement and related details of the bill on MSW charging, please visit below website.

2018 "Friends of EcoPark" Award Presentation Ceremony (the Ceremony) was successfully held on 2 October 2018 (Tuesday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a view to recognizing the public and private sectors for their contributions to waste recovery and recycling.

There were 227 public and private organizations being bestowed with the award certificates in order to recognize their continuous support to EcoPark tenants, and also encourage further collaborations to enhance the development of the local recycling industry. Mr. WONG Kam-sing, the Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government; Ms. Tanya CHAN Suk-chong and Dr. Hon Junius HO Kwan-yiu, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs; Mr. Jimmy KWOK Chun-wah, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund; Mr. LEUNG Kin-man, the Chairman of Tuen Mun District Council; Mrs. KWOK WONG Wing-ki and Mr. FONG Kin-wah, the Deputy Director and Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government and Dr. Edmond CHENG Kam-wah, the Managing Director of the Urban Group officiated at the Ceremony.

Representatives from one of the awarded companies, Gammon Construction Company Limited, and one of the EcoPark tenants, K. Wah Construction Products Limited, shared how the Scheme has helped the continuous implementation of environmental measures during operation and the benefits to the recycling industry through this Scheme. Representatives from Alba Integrated Waste Solutions (Hong Kong) Limited and On Fat Lung Innovative Resources Limited also shared the operation procedures in EcoPark and outlet of the end-products with the participants.

The Scheme "Friends of EcoPark" will continue to advocate sustainable collaboration among private/public sectors and the EcoPark tenants, who promote recycling and reduction of waste resources, and make a long-term commitment to environmental protection and conservation.

EcoPark participated in the Eco Expo Asia 2018 between 25 October 2018 and 28 October 2018. A booth was set up to promote the recycling business of EcoPark tenants and showcase the Visitor Centre as well as green architectural features of EcoPark to reveal the latest development of EcoPark. It also provides a platform for EcoPark tenants to explore development opportunities so as to promote the development of local recycling industry.

Business Environment Council Limited visited EcoPark on 21 September 2018. Development information and latest news of EcoPark were presented and tour for visitor centre in the EcoPark was also arranged.

Representative of the HKU Students (Fellows of Asia Global Club) visited EcoPark on 27 September 2018. Information about the latest development of EcoPark was presented. Bus tour for tenant was provided so as to closely familiarize with the operation process by the tenants.

Representatives from the Housing Department visited EcoPark on 4 October 2018. The visitors were briefed on EcoPark development, and joined a site visit to WEEE．Park to understand the operation of the related recycling industry.

Eco Expo Asia 2018 mainland delegations visited EcoPark on 26 October 2018. The visitors were briefed on EcoPark development. Tours for visitor centre and WEEE．PARK were provided so as to familiarize with the operation process and its advanced recycling technology.

Saying No to Shark Fin

Through reducing the consumption, we can conserve the shark species and help restore its number to a healthy level.

Shark is not common in Hong Kong waters. But the top marine predator's survival is strongly tied with our city. Hong Kong is the centre of the lucrative shark fin trade, accounting for about 40 per cent of the global shark fin trade every year.

The dwindling number of shark species is now severely affecting our marine ecosystem. Shark is an apex predator that keeps the numbers of other predators in check. For example, Great Whites in South Africa take down Cape Fur Seals, so the latter won't become overpopulated and exhaust the area's food. Unfortunately, up to 73 million of sharks are killed annually and a quarter of the world's chondrichthyan species, including sharks, are threatened with extinction. Since sharks reach sexual maturity late (it could take up to 10 years or more!), their overall risk of extinction is substantially higher than most other vertebrate species.

The huge demand for the shark fin as delicacy in Chinese banquets is one of the major factors fueling global shark fisheries. There is a dearth of sustainable shark fisheries and the current demand for shark fin is just too high for any sustainable shark fisheries to meet the demand. Adding to this is the lack of traceability of shark fin products along the supply chain. Therefore, saving sharks by saying no to buying and eating shark fin and its related products at this stage is the best solution. Every decision counts.