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Hong Kong recently experienced its coldest winter in nearly 60 years. The extreme weather has reminded us of the fragility of our environment, and how critical it is for us to take action now to protect our planet. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been supporting environmental projects carried out by the Hong Chi Association since 2010, and among them all the Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project has proved the most successful, with about 3,900 tonnes of glass bottles collected and recycled into eco-bricks in six years. This encouraging result is testament to the Trust’s important role in helping to solve different kinds of metropolitan social issues through pilot projects, complementing the environmental policies being pursued by the Government.

The Club’s Charities Trust has now donated a further HK$8 million to support a third phase of the glass bottle recycling project, during which it is expected that a further 2,200 tonnes of glass will be collected and over 160 vocational opportunities created for trainees with intellectual disabilities, thus promoting social inclusion . In addition, through the ‘Clean Recycling’ concept, the quality and value of the recycled bottles  will be enhanced.

Hui Yuk Po, who joined the Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project during its first phase in 2010, has since been promoted as a team leader, taking a group of new trainees every morning to collect waste glass at different locations and delivering the glass to a warehouse for sorting and rinsing.

“People used to dump glass bottles everywhere,” he recalls. “More people have realised that glass bottles can be recycled. My job is keeping me busy. I love it and am eager to learn more.”  Hui has also become a Green Ambassador, assisting with instruction at school seminars and street promotions. “I used to be very shy, now I speak with confidence,” he says proudly.  “My mother and sister praise me for the change! There are eco-bricks almost everywhere. They sparkle under the sunlight.”

The glass bottle recycling scheme, part of the Trust-initiated Environment Project, has so far seen some 290 collection points set up in residential estates, shopping malls and hospitals around the city, providing over 250  people with training and job opportunities. 

During the third phase, more resources are being earmarked for community education to strengthen the “Clean Recycling” message.  The trainees will serve as Clean Recycling Ambassadors, giving organisations hands-on experience of glass waste separation, while outreach workshops will help the public learn more about glass ‘upcycling’ and green lifestyles.

The Jockey Club has long been a strong proponent of environmental protection in its own operations. Over the past three years, the Club has collected over 280 tonnes of used glass bottles from its racecourse and clubhouse outlets for recycling into eco-bricks - enough to pave 30 standard basketball courts.  

In addition to supporting the Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project, the Club’s Environment Project, established in 2008, has also supported the CUHK Jockey Club Initiative Gaia.

Further details of the Hong Chi Jockey Club Glass Bottle Recycling Project are available at www.hongchi.org.hk/glassrecycling.