6 café chains form alliance for green movement

The Green Café Alliance aspires to encourage the public to create a better living environment by using less disposable cutlery and reducing waste.

Six café groups, comprising agnès b. CAFÉ L.P.G., Caffé HABITU, McCafé, Pacific Coffee Company, Pret A Manger and Starbucks Coffee Hong Kong, have formed the Green Café Alliance, which seeks to encourage members of the public to use less disposable cutlery and to share green tips with them, an Environmental Protection Department report said.

The Green Café Alliance is a key programme under the "Minimising Waste, Maximising the Future" campaign organised by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). At the ceremony to launch the Alliance held on 11 July, the EPD and representatives from the participating café groups announced the details of the programme and the formation of the Alliance.

"As more and more members of the public frequent cafés, the EPD invited six café chains to form the Alliance, and to spread the waste reduction message through their 300 branches. We are delighted that the six café groups agreed to join us to promote the environmental protection message. Their support could help motivate members of the public to live green and reduce waste in their daily lives," an EPD spokesman said.

With the launch of the alliance, EPD said the public will start seeing the publicity materials of the 'Minimising Waste, Maximising the Future' campaign in cafés of the Alliance.

“When the café staff receives takeaway orders, they will remind customers to think twice before taking disposable cutlery. Some cafés will also encourage customers to bring their own coffee tumblers or reuse the cup sleeves. We hope that when customers enjoy their beverages and delicious snacks, they will also play a part in reducing waste," he added.

According to the EPD's statistics, Hong Kong generates about 18,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste a day. Half of it is recycled, but about 9,000 tonnes of waste are sent to landfills every day. The existing landfills in Hong Kong will be full, one by one, within 10 years. The Government hopes that the public understands the imminent problem and will reduce waste in all aspects of their lives, including when they eat and drink. The EPD launched the "Minimising Waste, Maximising the Future" waste reduction campaign on May 23 to appeal to the public to reduce waste in their daily lives.