The Environmental Protection Department today announced the launch of the Waste Reduction & Recycling Charter and encourages property management companies, owners' corporations and residents of private premises to participate.

Private residential premises signing the charter should commit to establishing and maintaining appropriate and convenient recycling facilities within the housing estates or buildings to enable residents to recycle paper, metals, plastics, glass containers, beverage cartons, food waste etc, and handing them over to reliable recyclers for processing.

It is also necessary to keep delivery records of various types of recyclables, arrange publicity and educational activities to encourage residents to practise waste reduction at source and clean recycling, and report the quarterly recycling data regularly to improve recyclables management performance.

The department will publish online the list of housing estates and buildings that have signed the charter, and issue Waste Reduction & Recycling Certificates and stickers as recognition.

The department’s Green Outreach will provide participating premises with technical support, including application for free recycling bins, provision of recycling bin suppliers, collection services for recyclables, promotional and educational information, and co-organising promotional activities.

Moreover, private residential premises successfully signing up on or before November 30 will receive free designated bags, 20 per household per month, for six months.