Reductions in the amount of waste produced at the Hong Kong Sevens "set a standard for other leading sports events to follow," a Hong Kong environmental protection official said, according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The amount of refuse collected has been "halved over the past three years thanks to a green campaign that has transformed the annual rugby extravaganza at Hong Kong Stadium." Introduced as a pilot scheme in '14, the "Green Sevens" campaign "slashed the total waste level" at the 40,000-seat venue from 201 tons to 101 tons, "mostly as a result of intensive work with suppliers." Hong Kong Environment Undersecretary Christine Loh Kung-wai said, "This is a massive job, something Hong Kong can be proud of as we will not see this happen in other rugby tournaments around the world." Loh added that the government was also "working with two other top sports events," the Hong Kong Marathon and the Harbour Race, in a "similar project." The newly-established Formula E race, which will be held on the Central Harbourfront for the second time later this year, "would be the next target." Of the refuse collected last year, a "significant portion" went on to be recycled. This included 7.7 tons of paper and 2.1 tons of plastic. In addition, 4.2 tons of glass bottles were "delivered to recyclers to be turned into paving stones and other construction material. " For edible food, 550kg of meal boxes, cooked food, rice, bakery items and fruits and vegetables were collected before being donated to charity Food Angel (SCMP, 4/6).
