As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has launched “Think Before Plastic,” an initiative debuted at the start of its new fiscal year on July 1 that features a series of new measures focused on cutting back and eliminating plastic waste, including the replacement of plastic disposable cutlery with non-plastic alternatives at all HKCEC restaurant outlets and concession stands, the elimination of plastic straws and the availability of paper straws upon request. 

As a result of these measures, the facility expects to cut out the use of over 1,300,000 pieces of plastic disposable cutlery and more than 330,000 plastic straws in 12 months, according to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), which manages the venue.

In addition, the sale of plastic bottled beverages from all vending machines for staff members and contractors working in back-of-house areas has been discontinued, according to HML officials.

“All of us – venue operators, event organizers, exhibitors, buyers, visitors, event attendees, dining guests – have a responsibility towards our environment,” said Monica Lee-Müller, HML managing director and the primary driver of the new initiative.

She continued, “HML is striving to be at the forefront of a greener event industry and one way we are doing this is by encouraging our customers, event organizers, contractors, suppliers and stakeholders, as well as other event industry players, to think before using disposable plastic items.”

Cutting out disposable plastic cutlery and plastic straws is only the beginning, with the HKCEC working to source non-disposable plastic alternatives for various other items, such as meal boxes and cup lids, she added.

With community engagement as a crucial factor in the success of any sustainability initiative, HML is encouraging visitors and attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles when attending events at the HKEC, as well as to make use of the 18 water fountains available throughout the facility.

To promote the fountains, prominent signs have been added in exhibition halls and meeting room corridors. 

According to facility officials, HML was the first organization in Hong Kong to achieve ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System recognition, a certification that recognizes an event facility for fully incorporating sustainability into its entire event management cycle, including its operational procedures and guidelines.