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Hong Kong diners go through at least 65 million tissues each day, survey finds

HONG KONG — Hongkongers go through more than 65 million tissues, 30 million sheets of paper towel and 10 million wet wipes every day while dining, all of which end up in landfills and weigh the equivalent of 12 double-decker buses in total, according to a green group.

About 24 per cent of solid waste disposed of in landfills is paper.

About 24 per cent of solid waste disposed of in landfills is paper.

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HONG KONG — Hongkongers go through more than 65 million tissues, 30 million sheets of paper towel and 10 million wet wipes every day while dining, all of which end up in landfills and weigh the equivalent of 12 double-decker buses in total, according to a green group.

A survey by the World Green Organisation also found that Hong Kong residents lacked awareness on sustainability, with two-thirds of respondents mistakenly thinking paper towels could be recycled.

Of the 500 locals over the age of 18 interviewed, nearly 58 per cent said they used at least two to four tissues every day when they ate out. In more extreme cases, more than 8 per cent said they used eight to 10 tissues, or about one pocket-sized pack, on average daily.

The survey, carried out over two weeks in August last year, also found that those who dined at home used just as much tissue as they would if they were at a restaurant. Two in five respondents said they threw away two to four tissues when they dined at home.

It was a similar story for wet wipes and paper towels.

Overall, nearly 48 per cent said they used two to four sheets of paper towel from day to day while almost 20 per cent went through three wet wipes on average, contributing to at least 40 million pieces of waste daily.

According to researchers’ calculations, Hongkongers throw away 34.7 million tissues when they dine out and more than 30 million while eating at home each day, amounting to 65.1 million.

The group said its alarming findings were only the tip of the iceberg.

“I was quite shocked by the figures. I was especially surprised by the usage at home,” Dr William Yu Yuen-ping, chief executive of the World Green Organisation, said on Monday.

“We have alternatives like towels to clean up with after a meal so why do we still need to use tissues?

“The survey only asked about dining, which means we haven’t included other usages such as for when you catch a cold or if you need to wipe off sweat on a hot day. So the actual number will be larger.”

While 30 per cent said they knew paper towels could not be recycled, 66.2 per cent wrongly believed they were recyclable, and of them, 45.4 per cent thought they could be salvaged if they were clean.

Dr Yu said this wrong perception had contributed to the constant rise in solid waste.

According to the Environmental Protection Department, 2,532 tonnes of paper was tossed out on a daily basis in 2017, making up 24 per cent of solid waste disposed of in landfills. The figure rose 12.8 per cent compared with the previous year.

Dr Yu called on the public to use fewer tissues and opt for alternatives such as handkerchiefs.

“We need to better educate our younger generation about such usage and promote public awareness about this problem and to encourage a handkerchief culture,” he added.

To address the issue, the green group has organised Paper Saving Day on July 15 to urge the public and businesses to cut down on paper and tissue usage.

At least 400 businesses and companies are expected to join the campaign, including Japanese consumer electronics giant Canon and MPF pension scheme provider BCT Group. SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

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