HK Dumper Truck Drivers Association is the first worker union directly involved in advocacy and ground work of environmental protection. This new experience aims to build up better understanding between the union and community and to enhance the labour rights and citizen rights are the two sides of the coin.
In June of this year, the Hong Kong Dumper Truck Driver Association (HKDTDA), one of BWI’s new affiliates in Hong Kong launched an innovative pilot project called Green Glass Green. The objective of the project is to collect used wine and beer glass bottles from the bars and pubs of Wan Chai, Hong Kong from designated glass disposal areas three times a week and delivered to an eco-brick plant to be used in the production of recycled building materials.
To date over 11,000 empty bottles have been collected from the pubs and restaurants. It should be noted that to produce a tone of eco-brick 4,000 glass bottles are required. Thus in only one month, the project has resulted in the production of 2 tonnes of eco-brick.
According to a pub owner interviewed by a reporter for an article highlighting the project, at least 1,000 empty bottles are thrown away daily. This is a tremendous waste particularly when there is value to recycle these bottles to produce eco-brick.
As a result of this project, the HKDTDA has proven that recycling of used glass is feasible but unfortunately there are not sufficient facilities and infrastructure provided by the government. Thus, the union has urged the Hong Kong government to pass legislation that would make the business sector responsible for recycling when necessary. An official launching ceremony was conducted on August 1st in the main pub districts of Hong Kong.