Pilot Programme on Smart Recycling Systems
Overview
To enhance the community recycling services and efficiency through application of technology, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has launched a Pilot Programme on Smart Recycling Systems (the Pilot Programme), testing in phases smart recycling equipment (such as smart recycling bins, smart balances and gift redemption units), with the Internet of Things (IoT) as the skeleton technology, for local application.
Technical trial of Smart Recycling Systems at community recycling facilities had commenced since mid-November 2020. Members of the public could experience the smart recycling systems in the GREEN@COMMUNITY and earn electronic bonus points for gift redemption through the systems.
The one-year technical trial of the initial phase of the Pilot Programme commenced in Nov 2020 was completed in Jan 2022. The EPD is now carrying out the second phase of the Pilot Programme. Starting from May 2022, smart recycling facilities are being progressively set up at all Recycling Stations and Recycling Stores. Smart recycling bins set up in housing estates as pilot sites will commence service progressively from March 2023, thereby increasing the application points of smart recycling systems to about 100 locations.
Smart Recycling Equipment
Smart Recycling Bin
Smart recycling bins support 24-hour operation, measure and record the weight of recyclables automatically, and record electronic bonus points earned through recycling, thereby facilitate self-service recycling.
Smart Recycling Bins are equipped with sensors and can transfer information and data through IoT network for effective monitoring, such as fill levels. Recyclable collection service providers may also be connected through communication network to transmit telematics data. When combined, these technologies provide a solution for real-time visibility into the status of recycling bins so they can avoid unnecessary pickups and optimize operations.
Smart Recycling Bins are set up at some of the Recycling Stations and Recycling Stores. The EPD is also installing Smart Recycling Bins at housing estates, villages, shopping malls, universities and government venue progressively from March 2023. Click here for locations with Smart Recycling Bins.
Gift Redemption Unit
Gift Redemption Units support 24-hour operation, record the gift redemption and deduct the electronic bonus points automatically. The fully automatic and electronic process facilitates the public to redeem gift items, such as daily necessities, groceries and environmentally friendly products, in a self-service mode.
Gift Redemption Units are set up at 11 Recycling Stations and 39 Recycling Stores of the GREEN@COMMUNITY and other locations.Click here for locations with Gift Redemption Units. Members can also redeem gift items with assistance from the staff at GREEN@COMMUNITY.
Smart Balance
Smart Balances record the weight of recyclables and the electronic bonus points earned through recycling automatically.
Smart Balances are not limited by the size of recyclables. The high mobility feature of smart balances also supports various recycling activities of the GREEN@COMMUNITY.
Smart Balances are set up at all Recycling Stations and Recycling Stores of GREEN@COMMUNITY.
How to Perform Smart Recycling
The Smart Recycling Systems are easy to use. Just scan the membership QR code generated by GREEN$ Mobile App or at the back of the GREEN$ card on the reader of the smart recycling bins or smart balances, drop recyclables when the electric door opens or place the recyclables on the smart balances, then you will earn GREEN$ at the same time. You can also use the GREEN$ to redeem gifts from the gift redemption units or at any GREEN@COMMUNITY.
GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme
With the GREEN$ Mobile App or a GREEN$ smart card, the public can earn GREEN$ upon submission of recyclables with smart recycling devices. The "GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme" offers gifts including daily necessities and groceries, as well as environmentally friendly products. To register as a GREEN$ member, just download the GREEN$ Mobile App or bring 2 kg of recyclables to any of the GREEN@COMMUNITY outlets to get a GREEN$ card.
How to Check My GREEN$ Balance
GREEN$ members can check their GREEN$ balance at the GREEN$ Mobile App or the GREEN$ balance & transaction records enquiry webpage. The checking procedure at the webpage is very simple. Members can scan the QR Code below with their mobile devices and open the webpage (or input reward.6green.hk directly in the web browser address), followed by entering the membership number to check the GREEN$ balance:
GREEN$ members can also check their GREEN$ balance with assistance from the staff at our GREEN@COMMUNITY, including Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores, and Recycling Spots.
Smart Recycling Promotion Vehicle
In the initial phase of the Pilot Programme, the first "Community Smart Recycling Vehicle" toured around various districts (from September 2020 to March 2021) to promote Smart Recycling Systems, and let the public experience the operation. It also promoted the recyclables collection services, including waste paper, metal, plastic, glass, fluorescent lamps and tubes, rechargeable batteries, small electrical appliances, and Regulated Electrical Equipment (REE), provided by the EPD’s community recycling facilities such as GREEN@COMMUNITY, Recycling Stations and Recycling Stores. In view of the positive response from the public, we have arranged a Smart Recycling Promotion Vehicle (formerly known as the Second Community Smart Recycling Vehicle) to tour around various districts starting from 15 October 2021 to continue the promotion of Smart Recycling Systems and let the public experience the operation.
Features of Smart Recycling Systems
For the expansion of the pilot program, the EPD completed the establishment of a common communication protocol, application programming interface, central data system and mobile application linking platform for local applications in 2022, so that smart recycling hardware and software from different developers can connect with each other, and jointly build the smart recycling system in Hong Kong.
Smart Recycling System applies IoT technologies to collect daily operation information for integration into a Big Data System. With artificial intelligence (AI) analysis in the long run, we can provide a better service and new experience to the community through a more effective management of recyclable collection.
Through the Pilot Programme, the EPD is bringing a new recycling experience to the public, and to inject new impetus to community recycling. The Government will review the operational experience and technical testing result to formulate the long-term development of a smart recycling system for local application, with a view to improving the community recycling service and its efficiency.