Ocean Park Conversation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK) announced the return of No Straw Campaign for a third consecutive year. Research commissioned by the Foundation shows encouraging progress in reducing Hong Kong’s overall plastic straw consumption, which has dropped from 1.7 billion in 2017 to 1.08 billion in 2019[1] thanks to concerted efforts in inviting the public to say no to plastic straws. However, the survey indicates that Hong Kongers are still using 4.31 straws per week on average, which is still posing detrimental impacts on the environment. In addition, the number of partnering organisations has more than doubled this year, with over 1,700 restaurants, educational institutions, corporations and government departments joining us to further public awareness on the threats that plastic products have on our oceans and the environment.
The latest campaign video was also launched on June 6! You can see and hear celebrity Sammy Leung transforms into a pint-sized “No Straw Guardian” to illustrate the huge negative environmental impact a single plastic straw could bring to the ecosystem. Celebrity Aimee Chan is also on board with the cause. “As a mother of three, I am concerned that plastic waste that goes into the ecosystems may end up as microplastics and contaminate the food chain, consequently posing an adverse effect on our health. To protect the environment from plastic pollution, I feel obliged to adopt a ‘less plastic’ lifestyle and minimise the use of single use plastic products in the family,” said Chan.
In addition, OPCFHK is launching a free-to-download WhatsApp Sticker Pack to get Hong Kongers talking about this important topic in their day-to-day conversations with family and friends. Join us as well by saying “No straw, thanks!” together!
[1]The survey interviewed 1,000 respondents aged 15-59 in May 2019. Results show that the average consumption per week per person is 4.31 straws. When multiplied by the total population within that same age group in Hong Kong (4,846,876) and the number of weeks in a year (52), that is equivalent to 1.08 billion plastic straws used in Hong Kong a year. The average consumption per week per person in the 2017 survey was 6.75 straws and the projected annual consumption in Hong Kong was 1.7 billion.