The Green Council Launched the first Recycled Content Certification

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 28 October 2021 -
While there are increased concerns about the potential environmental problems
brought by designated garbage bags subsequent to the passage of the waste
charging bill by the Legislative Council, the usage of recycled materials in
plastic bags could ease its impact on the environment, support local recycling
businesses and build a circular economy.

There
are a large number of products and packaging on the market claiming to contain
recycled materials, yet, procurement officers and consumers are unable to
distinguish the authenticity among the products without verification. A survey
by the Consumer Council revealed that over 30 per cent of respondents thought
the information provided by the green products on market is not comprehensive and
hence suggested manufacturers obtain ecolabels through a third-party
certification to ensure accuracy of environmental information.

In view of
the above, the Green Council (“GC”), which is a local, non-profit, charitable
environmental stewardship organisation and certification body of Hong Kong,
announced today the launch of the “Hong Kong Green Label Scheme – Recycled
Content Certification”, an ISO 14021 Type II ecolabel.  With this label as a “mark” for recognition, procurement
officers and the public could immediately identify products truly containing recycled materials.

This certification applies to products with recycled content, such as
plastic bags, tableware, containers, textiles and papers, etc. Through a set of
rigorous, standardised and quantified certification procedures, as well as
all-round surveillance on the manufacturing process of recycled products, GC
could effectively differentiate recycled products and general original
products. Certified products are allowed to use ecolabel showing the contained
recycled content, improving product reputation and enhancing competitiveness
for entering recycling markets, at the same time helping procurement officers
and consumers to make more environmentally friendly choices.

GC has implemented
the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme
since 2000, and is the only ISO 14024 Type I ecolabel in Hong Kong. So far the Type
I label covers 62 products, in order to cater for products without product
criteria, overseas territories have gradually set up Type II ecolabel for
certifying manufactures’ environmental declarations, such as recycled content, design
for disassembly, use of renewable energy, etc. 
In response to the market demand, GC is launching the Recycled Content
Certification as the first Type II ecolabel in Hong Kong.

Please click HERE to download the event photo and slide deck.