Consumers 'getting Used To' Over-packaging: Survey

Environmental group Green Sense on Wednesday urged the government to do more to educate the public and impose stricter guidelines on online shopping packaging, as consumers “get used to” the worsening problem of over-packaging amid the pandemic.

A recent study by the green group found that over 780 million pieces of packaging waste was generated in Hong Kong over the past year.

On average, 2.32 pieces of materials were used to wrap a single product, six percent higher than last year.

But out of 209 respondents surveyed between May and June this year, only 35 percent of them think that there’s an over-packaging problem with their online purchases – 16 percent lower than last year.

Gabrielle Ho, the group’s senior project manager, said people have been relying so much on online shopping during the lockdown that they no longer even realise that over-packaging is a big problem.

In one extreme case, she said nine packaging materials were used to wrap a product, such as plastic tape, bubble wraps, newspaper and other paper fillings, as well as cardboard box.

“During the lockdown, people are not getting out and they often order food at home and just receive it by courier or other services. They are relying on online shopping and getting used to the package. People might not think it’s a problem,” Ho said.

The group called on the government to impose stricter restrictions on online shopping packaging and formulate packaging guidelines.

It also urged the authorities to step up public education on the importance of recycling, after its survey found that many respondents were unable to tell what recyclable and what’s not.