Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies e-Bulletin Issue 13

It takes hundreds of years for plastic bags to decompose while they fill up landfills and pollute the ocean, soil, and air. To tackle these problems, scientists are finding alternative materials to replace plastic and governments are implementing plastic bag levies. What can those in the humanities and social sciences do to promote plastic reduction?

The modern “value” of convenience overshadows the environmental costs of using plastic bags. We believe that implementing charging schemes is not enough; rather, such schemes must go hand in hand with an effective recycling economy and persistent efforts to communicate with different stakeholders. The Centre for Social Innovation Studies (CSIS) has been involved in plastic reduction initiatives since 2021. Funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund, the CSIS launched the “Plastic Free Hong Kong: Plastic Reduction in Wet Market” Student Community Ambassador Training Scheme in 2023. In November 2023, an exhibition entitled “Plastic Reduction Academy: No Plastic Bags, Please!” was held in the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change to share the one-year journey and findings of those involved in the scheme. Art installations made by our ambassadors were shown in the MOCC.

In the project, 26 university students and 250 secondary school students were trained to be our student ambassadors. The CSIS invited NGOs to share accounts of their advocacy and attempts to reduce the use of plastic. Through the sharing from the NGOs, students acquired knowledge of plastic reduction and the different attempts made by local green groups. At the same time, they brought their questions to the community to engage in action research to find answers. In March and April 2023, our student ambassadors spent two days counting plastic bags. Based on the findings, we estimated that around 500,000 plastic bags are consumed daily in government-owned wet markets in Hong Kong. The number would be larger if private wet markets and supermarkets are included. Our ambassadors also conducted interviews to understand the social and cultural factors driving the use of plastic bags. These students later participated in community art workshops to transform their observations into art pieces. They also presented their creative works as gifts to vendors and marketgoers.

A total of 2,100 visitors attended the exhibition. In order to continue the achievements of the project, the online exhibition is now available on the website of the CSIS.■

Online Exhibition: https://www.csis.cuhk.edu.hk/?p=2104