Single-use plastic products are a major contributor to terrestrial and oceanic pollution. The first phase of the Hong Kong government’s ban on single-use plastic tableware comes into force on 22 April 2024. In preparation, we continue to expand initiatives to promote reuse throughout 2023.
Extending the Successful Smart Reusable Cup Initiative
In 2020, Swire Properties piloted Hong Kong’s first smart reusable cup network at Taikoo Place. In 2023, the initiative expanded to 8 F&B outlets across the complex. We also began washing and sanitising the cups at one of our F&B tenant’s kitchens, “closing the loop” within Taikoo Place.
Building upon the successful implementation at Taikoo Place, we expanded the project to Pacific Place in October, and launched a pilot with seven participating cafés and restaurants in Pacific Place and the Starstreet Precinct. We will also expand the project to Cityplaza in 2024. We anticipate that the expansion will drive further reductions in single-use plastics and help cultivate a reuse culture in our portfolios and across the city.
The system operates by customers asking for the reusable cup when placing an order, then returning the cup and lid to any of the return stations at Taikoo Place or Pacific Place. In November and December, we launched an offer in partnership with a participating tenant at Taikoo Place – customers could enjoy a complimentary coffee on borrowing a reusable cup or bringing their own cup. The event spurred more customers to join our reuse journey and provided valuable data to gauge customers’ willingness to use reusable cups. More than 2,300 beverages were served in reusable cups or the customers’ own cups during the period.
Since the programme’s launch, we have prevented the disposal of over 23,000 single-use cups at Taikoo Place and Pacific Place.
Extending the Successful Smart Reusable Cup Initiative
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Completion of Smart Reusable Food Box Trial
Building on the success of the smart reusable cup concept, we piloted a smart reusable food box with one of our F&B tenants at Taikoo Place in January 2023, receiving positive feedback on the food box design and functionality as well as the borrow and return process. The programme is planned for full rollout at Taikoo Place in 2024.
In parallel, we have noticed growing interest among our office tenants to minimise the use of single-use takeaway packaging from catering services. In collaboration with our training team and one F&B tenant at Taikoo Place, we successfully piloted the Green Corporate Catering Programme in March 2023 and offered catered lunches in reusable cups and containers at internal events. We plan to roll out the programme in full to office tenants at Taikoo Place in 2024.
Completion of Smart Reusable Food Box Trial
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