OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2011. CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP Power) is proving that, with a bit of creativity and a focus on sustainability, a discarded electrical appliance can be repaired and given a new lease of life in the home of somebody who needs it, reported the press-centre of CLP Power. 

Weighing in at 70,000 tonnes*, the number of appliances thrown away each year in Hong Kong is staggering. To combat this, CLP Power has teamed up with the St. James' Settlement to launch the "Here WEEE Go" programme – to recycle and regenerate these waste electrical and electronic equipment ('WEEE') to benefit the underprivileged members of the local community.

To inject some creative flair to the scheme, the campaign is not only extending the lives of the old appliances, but also applying eye-catching designs. At an Eco-Art Workshop organised in August, CLP volunteers and members of the families of those who the scheme will benefit got their creative juices flowing, for example by adding colourful magnetic tiles to refurbished refrigerators under the guidance of local designers and design students from the C01 School of Visual Arts.

Richard Lancaster, Managing Director of CLP Power, and his daughter Olivia took part in the Eco-Art efforts. In a caring visit yesterday led by Mr. Lancaster and CLP volunteers, a decorated refrigerator which carried the pattern inspired by Olivia's 'shell and flower' painting was presented to a grateful single mother and her 7-year old daughter living in a 100 square feet sublet room in Sheung Shui.

"It was heart-warming to see how much Ms. Yeung and her daughter appreciated their new refrigerator, and a very powerful illustration of what a waste it is to throw away these electrical appliances when they can be repaired to benefit the needy instead," said Mr. Lancaster. "Appliances that can be repaired should be seen as a resource, and CLP is keen to re-use them and contribute to greater environmental sustainability in Hong Kong."

"Environmental education is also one of CLP's core values. Ms. Yeung and her daughter joined in the Eco-Art Workshop, which proved to be a fun and engaging way to provide important lessons on conservation to the children and art students who took part."

This summer, a team of over 150 CLP volunteers helped deliver over 175 bulky appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and televisions to about 100 low income families.

The WEEE recycling initiative was launched by the St. James' Settlement to support underprivileged members of society in 2003, which was then extended to Tuen Mun EcoPark last year. CLP volunteers played an active role in promoting the initiative, which also marked the biggest partnership to date in the WEEE recycling campaign.

* Source: https://www.wastereduction.gov.hk/en_html/workplace/weee_intro.htm

About CLP Power Hong Kong Limited

CLP Power Hong Kong Limited ("CLP Power") is the Hong Kong utility subsidiary wholly owned by CLP Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and one of the largest investor-owned power businesses in Asia. CLP Power operates a vertically integrated electricity supply business in Hong Kong, and provides a highly reliable supply of electricity and excellent customer services to 5.7 million people in its supply area.