{"id":6476,"date":"2021-03-29T10:32:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T02:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/?p=6476"},"modified":"2025-07-02T15:10:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:10:58","slug":"people-power-a-milestone-set-to-curb-plastic-parknshop-announced-further-plastic-reduction-commitment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/blog\/6476\/people-power-a-milestone-set-to-curb-plastic-parknshop-announced-further-plastic-reduction-commitment\/","title":{"rendered":"People power! A milestone set to curb plastic: ParknShop announced further plastic reduction commitment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Does continuous lobbying work? Yes it does! Thanks to your solidarity and action with Greenpeace, we received over 24,000 petitions supporting our plastic-free vision. Lately A.S. Watson Group, ParknShop\u2019s parent company, for the first time, has committed a list of time bound specific plastic reduction measures.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/aca48308-r0032646-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/aca48308-r0032646-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/aca48308-r0032646-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/aca48308-r0032646-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/aca48308-r0032646-510x338.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/aca48308-r0032646.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>125 members from our Plastic-Free Community formed a \u201ccitywide plastic investigation team\u201d. They tallied the use of plastics in 56 branches from 12 supermarkets chains &#8211; ParknShop included. Results reveal that 84% of products were plastic-wrapped, half of which are done by the supermarket.&nbsp; \u00a9 Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New commitments, and rooms for further plastic reduction<\/h2>\n\n<p>We initiated our \u201cUnwrap our Supermarkets\u201d campaign in 2019 in response to the plastic catastrophe from supermarket chains. It has been well received and supported by the community. As a result, ParknShop has introduced<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/story\/2689\/naked-shopping-arrives-at-a-major-supermarket-in-hong-kong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> refill stations at GREAT<\/a> and packaging-free fruit counters at its three university campus branches. That was a good start but we believe more should be done by supermarkets on going plastic free in the long run.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<p>Greenpeace does not stop pursuing our goal, so do our supporters! At the beginning of this year, we received more than 24,000 petitions from our supporters who also demanded supermarkets to make changes. With joint effort, we have successfully petitioned A.S. Watson to make further commitment to phase out plastic packaging. Their pledge is more holistic and specific compared to its peers. Let\u2019s take a look:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>New refill stations: the number of these stations to be increased at least ten times.<ul><li>Our recommendation: these stations now only sell personal hygiene products, we suggest to include more items like oil, condiments and groceries.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Extension of packaging-free fruits and vegetables from six to 50 stores by 2030<ul><li>Our recommendation: why not all branches?<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Bring your own box $2 discount expand further by 2030<ul><li>Our recommendation: the measure is working in some stores already, we hope to see the timeline for a more detailed implementation plan soon .<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Eco-bags sharing: Eco Bag Share stations extend to all outlets from pilot program<ul><li>Our recommendation: Station more staff at these counters so we can truly say no to plastic bags.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Reduce at least 50% use of&nbsp; virgin plastic used in single-used items and replace virgin plastic with reusable, paper-made, recyclable or organic materials.<ul><li>Our recommendation: replacing&nbsp;disposable items made by virgin used plastic with alternative materials does not solve the waste problem. We should look into reusable solutions.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Plastic bags reduction: to reduce virgin plastic used in single-used plastic carrier bag by an equivalent 30% by 2030, and the transparent plastic bags that\u2019s used for fruits and vegetable and cold items by 50% in 2030.<ul><li>Our recommendation: effectively carry out the eco-bags sharing policy and prioritise phasing out all plastics use.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n<p><em>*Virgin plastic is directly made from crude oil Generally speaking, plastic items without being labeled&nbsp; as \u201crecycled plastic\u201d are made from virgin plastic.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/5f8388c2-cal_6420-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/5f8388c2-cal_6420-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/5f8388c2-cal_6420-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/5f8388c2-cal_6420-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/5f8388c2-cal_6420-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/5f8388c2-cal_6420.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Greenpeace hosted Asia\u2019s first forum on exploring plastic-free solutions for supermarkets in Hong Kong.&nbsp; \u00a9 Tai Ngai Lung \/ Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">With joint efforts, we took other small steps to influence supermarkets&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n<p>In addition to receiving over 24,000 petitions from our supporters, we also gained support from 125 community members who&nbsp; took part in the \u201cCitywide Plastic Investigation\u201d, and more than 60 families took up the \u201cUnwrap our Supermarket\u201d challenge. Local celebrities Sammy Leung, Leila Tong, Melody Cheng and Zelos Wong starred in our 7-day Plastic Challenge reality show. On top of that, around 40 volunteers have persuaded nearly half of Shatin\u2019s shops and restaurants to be a part of our Plastic-Free Community. To date, close to 700 shops citywide&nbsp; and counting have joined our community which shows our \u201cgo plastic-free power\u201d is ever growing! We believe everyone in the community is as important for making change ongoingly, including&nbsp; all volunteers, shop owners, community members, activists and influencers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"617\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/20200514-DSCF1434-1024x617.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/20200514-DSCF1434-1024x617.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/20200514-DSCF1434-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/20200514-DSCF1434-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/20200514-DSCF1434-510x307.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/20200514-DSCF1434.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>We have launched Hong Kong\u2019s first grading report on supermarkets\u2019 plastic-reduction efforts. All seven major chains have not reached the benchmark. \u00a9 Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p>On the other hand, we have published the \u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/hongkong\/issues\/plastics\/update\/18629\/%e3%80%8a%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e9%80%a3%e9%8e%96%e8%b6%85%e5%b8%82%e8%b5%b0%e5%a1%91%e8%a9%95%e7%b4%9a%e3%80%8b%e5%a0%b1%e5%91%8a\/\" target=\"_blank\">Plastic at the checkout: How Hong Kong Supermarkets Rank on Plastic<\/a>\u201d report &#8211; the first of its kind in Hong Kong-based on plastic-reduction policies and practices from seven major supermarkets. All supermarkets fell below the benchmark. We have also held multi-stakeholder forums in Hong Kong and Taiwan for two consecutive years, facilitating successful exchanges of plastic reduction solutions and practical operating models in the sector. Our campaigners have also followed up the efforts to liaise with supermarket representatives. <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/ed1ab6ee-a7309551-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/ed1ab6ee-a7309551-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/ed1ab6ee-a7309551-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/ed1ab6ee-a7309551-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/ed1ab6ee-a7309551-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-eastasia-stateless\/2021\/03\/ed1ab6ee-a7309551.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Our \u201cPlastic-free\u201d popup store visited different districts last year, with our Direct Dialogue Campaigners bringing the vision of a plastic-free grocery shopping experience to the public.&nbsp; \u00a9 Greenpeace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Goals: plastic-free supermarkets &amp; plastic-free Hong Kong<\/h2>\n\n<p>As for 2021, we will continue to call on retailers to make ambitious plastic-free commitments. We will harness the strength of people power to clearly demonstrate to companies that not only are customers ready for change, they eagerly welcome it.<\/p>\n\n<p>We have you and all the other Greenpeace supporters who love our planet too. We will continue to campaign for a plastic-free Hong Kong by holding companies accountable to their customers and the environment. We\u2019re not going to have instant success, but together we will make positive changes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People power! A milestone set to curb plastic: ParknShop announced further plastic reduction commitment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":6480,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"not set","p4_local_project":"not set","p4_basket_name":"not set","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[8,21],"p4-page-type":[26],"class_list":["post-6476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-sustainably","tag-consumption","tag-plastic","p4-page-type-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6476"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68198,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6476\/revisions\/68198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6476"},{"taxonomy":"p4-page-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/eastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/p4-page-type?post=6476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}