Accelerates depletion of the world's limited oil reserves

Plastic is a by-product of oil. It is estimated that the production of plastic accounts for 8% of the oil demand. Unwise use of plastic products wastes our precious oil resources.
Oil is a limited resource. It is predicted that oil resources will be essentially used up within 40 years. (information from: US Department Of Energy)

Results in air pollution, forms acid rain and affects ecological balance

Treating waste by incineration* releases toxic gases such as dioxin, leading to air pollution. Other acidic gases that are emitted cause acid rain.
(*There are currently no waste incineration facilities in Hong Kong. However, the government has not excluded the possibility of adopting incineration in future to solve the waste problem. Many countries, such as China, Japan and Singapore, use incineration for waste treatment.)

Contains carcinogens which affect reproductive ability and child development

Many plastic products contain carcinogens. At high temperatures, these are release more quickly. Some of the chemical constituents may affect our reproductive ability and children's development.

Shortens life of landfills

It takes hundreds of years to decompose plastic products, so they will be in landfills for a long time.

Waste oil reserves

The outer shell of fluorescent sticks is plastic. Buying and throwing away the sticks wastes oil.

Threatens health

Some of the chemicals in fluorescent sticks are carcinogenic, and can affect brain functions if they enter our bloodstream. Other chemicals cause eye and skin irritation.

Wastes metal resources

Mooncake boxes and food cans are made from iron. These, like aluminium cans, can be recycled to recover and reuse the metals. Simply throwing away these boxes and cans wastes metallic resources.

Heavy metals pollute the environment and threaten health

It is estimated that the energy used to manufacture batteries is 50-times that which they supply. Further, batteries contain toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium and zinc. Throwing away batteries can pollute soil and water. The heavy metals may even enter the food chain, and affect the health of plants, animals and humans.

Creates waste

Once a gift box is opened, the packaging materials become waste.

Accelerates destruction of forests and depletion of oil reserve

At least 17 trees and 1,750 litres of oil are required to produce 1 ton of paper. Packaging paper is not a necessity. Excessive use of it will only accelerate the logging of forests, making wildlife lose habitats, and threatening the earth's ecosystems.

Pollutes the environment

Many dyes and chemicals are used in bleaching paper. These will cause air and water pollution and affect human health.

Form photochemical smog

These sprays contain toxic chemicals (e.g. volatile organic compounds, VOCs) that will cause photochemical smog in sunny weather, damaging the respiratory system, causing eye irritation and lowering visibility.

Form photochemical smog

These sprays contain toxic chemicals (e.g. volatile organic compounds, VOCs) that will cause photochemical smog in sunny weather, damaging the respiratory system, causing eye irritation and lowering visibility.