Secretary for the Environment KS Wong launched the Clink, Drink then Recycle programme today to encourage restaurants and food premises to recycle glass bottles.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wong said two-thirds of the 290 tonnes of Hong Kong's waste glass bottles are from commercial and industrial premises.
"The extension of the glass bottle recycling network to restaurants and food premises can help enhance the effectiveness of our recycling efforts," he said.
The Environmental Protection Department will start the programme at 14 major shopping malls and commercial buildings this month.
Restaurants and food premises in these malls and buildings will separate waste glass bottles for collection by the department's contractor for delivery to recyclers.
These bottles will be turned into glass sand to substitute river sand to produce construction materials.
The Legislative Council will discuss a bill soon, which will place glass beverage containers under the Producer Responsibility Scheme.
A recycling levy will be implemented, and manufacturers and importers of these containers will need to register.
