Instead of creating more waste, Business Environment Council (BEC) makes use of used glass bottles and soda cans as the main festive decoration during its Seasonal Cocktail held on 12 December 2012.
About 380 used glass bottles and 350 disposed soda cans formed two exquisite and glamorous Christmas trees of 9 feet and 6 feet tall respectively. They added a special touch and became an interesting talking piece at the seasonal cocktail at which about 150 business leaders, government officials, decision makers, sustainability professionals and academics participated. As an organisation advocating environmental sustainability, BEC walks the talk in a creative manner and gives some of our municipal waste a chance to be “reborn”.
Prof John Chai, Chairman of BEC remarked, “Every year, BEC celebrates the festive season with our members and guests. Our seasonal cocktail is a great occasion for like-minded leaders to share their insights and thoughts in advocating environmental sustainability. I believe it is a good opportunity for us to exemplify our commitment to environmental protection by being creative in reusing materials and reminding our members and guests the importance of environmental care.”
Though not dressed in green, these two Christmas trees are truly “green Christmas trees”, as they are made from used and disposed materials collected from local hotels. With a little LED lighting, these reused materials do show glamour and glitter as two “green Christmas trees”.
Ms Agnes Li, Chief Executive Officer of BEC, commented, “Waste is a pressing issue in Hong Kong. At BEC, we will work towards helping our society reduce waste, recycle and reuse them, and advocate feasible policies and actions to handle them. Through our work and actions, I hope that we can stimulate other parties to rethink before they produce waste, and adopt a less wasteful lifestyle.”
The two “green Christmas trees” will be in display in the Exhibition Hall of BEC Headquarters until end of January 2013. Visitors will have a chance to see and take pictures of them.
(1) 380 used glass bottles are turned into a glamorous Christmas tree at BEC’s seasonal cocktail
(2) BEC makes use of 350 disposed soda cans to construct a 6-feet tall “green Christmas tree