8 YEARS AGO we started Go Green Hong Kong with the fervent belief that individual behaviour could make a decisive difference in the war on waste and pollution. The glacial pace of change (though that may not be such an apt expression anymore as climate change is making glaciers move much faster these days) since then, and a deeper understanding of the scale and … Continue reading Dumpster Diving HK Style (no diving required)
There is no doubt that the biggest challenges of any farmer are weeds competing with crops for space, light and nutrients, and insects engulfing harvests like wildfire. Effective pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) are therefore miraculous inventions in the eyes of many farmers. They dramatically lower costs by saving time and energy, and most importantly, enable farmers to avoid numerous problems. Humans are known to be visual … Continue reading Unravelling the Secrets of Pesticides
I usually buy clothing from second-hand clothing stores. However, for underwear and socks I can only buy new ones. For years I have been looking for organic cotton underwear. Why cotton? Because cotton underwear is breathable, which helps to reduce bacterial vaginal infection. Why organic? Today 25% of the insecticide used worldwide is applied to conventionally grown cotton, even though cotton fields occupy less than 3% of … Continue reading Why does Muji package its organic underwear in plastic?
To catch the “Green is the New Black” trend, Dove Hong Kong issued post on Facebook 2 weeks ago to kick-off it’s “Re/Up Cycle Game”. In large font, it read “step 123 saving planet earth” and “Let’s recycle and reuse”, and below that in small font “plastic containers of all personal care products sold by Unilever Hong Kong are recyclable.” Saving planet earth??! That’s audacious, even … Continue reading Greenwash Stunt Flops – A PR Case Study
A short while ago, I was interviewed by a reporter about Water for Free and environmental protection in general. She suggested we meet at Interval Coffee Bar on Wellington Street. Upon arrival, I noticed that all the sit-in patrons were drinking coffee from paper cups. I then turned my attention to the counter and realised there weren’t any ceramic cup there. When the reporter showed … Continue reading Say No to Disposable Coffee Cups
I found the signing petition initiated by the WildAid on the website supporthk.org demanding Maxim, the biggest Chinese restaurant group in Hong Kong, to stop selling shark’s fin soup a little depressing. 7 years have passed since I took part in the campaign which successfully forced Citi Bank to drop its credit card promotion for card holders to enjoy shark’s fin meal at Maxim at … Continue reading Say No to Shark Fin Soup Loud and Clear
PRICE HKD 20 per pack (10 rolls) WHERE TO BUY Salvation Army Family Store (Only certain branches have them in stock, please call and check before you go shopping) PRODUCT RATING Great value for the money. FSC Mix label, ISO 9001, ISO14001 GREEN RATING Quite Green. While most of the toilet paper brands available for sale at supermarkets in Hong Kong still proudly annouce that they … Continue reading Bamboo Tissue Toilet Paper
Most hotels provide bars of soap to guests, but rarely will these bar soap be used up by the time the guests check out. I always find it extremely wasteful for hotels to throw away these otherwise still usable bars of soap, and that is why I always bring them home and continue to use them. Yet I understand 99% of the population will not … Continue reading Soap Cycling
Whenever I need new a piece of furniture or appliance, I always go on Facebook and ask if anyone I know has a second hand piece for me. For example, a few years ago I asked on Facebook to see if anyone has a spare sofa. A friend responded almost immediately and sent me an IKEA sofa bed which looked brand new when it arrived. Unfortunately … Continue reading Old sofa starts a new life
It’s late November, and the cool weather has finally arrived in Hong Kong. I have committed myself to Jup Yeah‘s (Jup Yeah means “pick up stuff” in Cantonese) campaign by pledging not to buy new clothing this season. As proclaimed by its website: know your style, change your consumption habits, and pick up pre-loved clothing instead of shopping for new clothes. In order to boost … Continue reading Pledging not to buy new clothing this season
Go Green Hong Kong 