【明報專訊】The Environmental Protection Department (環境保護署) released the Hong Kong 2016 Waste Statistics last month. To our dismay, the per capita (人均) disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW,都市固體廢物) is 1.41kg each day. Food waste disposal is up 6.5% year-on-year, reflecting the seriousness of Hong Kong's food waste problem.

We also see the lowest recycling rate of MSW in seventeen years, which is only 34%, while the remaining 66% of MSW is disposed of at landfills. These figures demonstrate a lack of environmental awareness and recycling facilities. Moreover, there are some deep-rooted habits associated with the waste problem in Hong Kong. Some commentators say that the plastic shopping bag charging scheme is no longer effective.

A charging scheme will be launched for MSW in general in 2019. The Green Earth, a local green group, has recommended the government to continue to recycle waste paper and waste plastics, and establish a sound recycling system so as to restore public confidence.

(Source: Ming Pao, Environmental Protection Department)

■English highway﹕associated with

If A is associated with B, A is affected by, actively engaged in or closely connected to B.

e.g. These symptoms are associated with old age.

■Game １

Fill in the blanks. (Hint: Look at the bin and guess from the wastes created by the Smarties!)

1. Dr Panda has d _ _ _ _ a c _ _ of cola.

2. Pat c _ _ _ _ _ a cold and has just s _ _ _ _ _ _.

3. Bill has finished reading a n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

(Answers on next text)

■Game ２

The three-coloured waste separation bins have been used for many years. Circle three items in the bin that can be recycled by those bins.

■Glossary

dismay (n) 驚愕

landfill (n) 堆填區

deep-rooted (adj) 根深蒂固的

sound (adj) 健全的

[Smarties' Power English 第206期]