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PROVISIONAL Urban COUNCIL
Mr. Chairman, I so move.
MR. Lam Man-fai, Vice-chaIRMAN OF THE Museums Select Committee (in Cantonese); Mr. Chairman, as Vice-Chairman of the Museums Select Committee, I second the motion.
The question was put to the vote.
The motion was carried unanimously.
(3) Mr. Daniel To Boon-man moved as follows:—
"For the purpose of environmental protection and waste reduction, RESOLVED that the Council promote a culture for environmental protection in its Lunar New Year fairs to educate citizens and stall operators to keep the fair venues clean and reduce waste, and invite environmental protection associations to assist in the promotion."
He said (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, after the Lunar New Year fair each year, tons of refuse were left at Council venues. Department staff had to work overtime in order to clear the refuse. Last year, our staff cleared 120 tons of refuse within 9 hours from 7 am to 4 pm. It was a stunning figure. We could see that everywhere at the venues, there were broken flower pots, broken branches, mud all over the place, damaged "pots for preserved eggs" and broken branches of peach blossoms standing several metres high. It was a great pity to see them, not to mention the heaps and heaps of refuse to be cleared away. The most important purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of environmental protection to the Lunar New Year Fair. In other words, we call for no more wastage of resources, refuse recycling and alleviation of pressure on landfills. I would like to put forth the following proposals for consideration by the Department:-
(1) Environmental education
The Department can spread the message of environmental protection through the printing of environmental protection information and methods. distributing notices to stall operators and making use of the broadcasting system so as to educate the public and traders.
(2) Tender provisions re environmental protection
We need long term education on consumption that is in line with environmental protection. The Department can put in provisions when inviting tenders, for example to require useful material to be removed instead of discarded. It will enhance the self discipline of stalls and attain the effect of environmental protection.