Green scene: Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau (front, 3rd right) launches the "Minimising Waste, Maximising the Future" waste-reduction campaign.

The Environmental Protection Department has kicked off a campaign to encourage the business sector to place more recycling bins in shopping malls, and cafe and restaurant patrons not to use disposable utensils.

Promotional activities under the "Minimising Waste, Maximising the Future" waste-reduction campaign will be held in mid-2010.

So far, six cafe chains with nearly 300 stores in total, and eight property-management companies' shopping malls have joined the campaign.

Speaking at its launch today, Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau said Hong Kong generates about 18,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste a day. Half is recycled - but about 9,000 tonnes of waste are sent to landfills every day.

Existing landfills in Hong Kong will be full, one by one, within 10 years, he warned.

"To encourage the public to treasure and conserve resources, the Government will join with the private sector and different organisations to send the message across to the community."

He hoped people will learn more about the importance of waste reduction and be smart in making economical use of resources in every aspect of their lives, to make Hong Kong a green city.