2nd November 2025 – (Hong Kong) A volunteer cleaning Hong Kong’s country trails has reported discovering substantial amounts of litter primarily consisting of packaging bearing Simplified Chinese characters. The individual documented nearly twenty photographs showing discarded plastic bottles, food wrappers, and beverage cups scattered across mountainous areas.
The cleanup organiser suggested the waste likely originated from visitors who had consumed these products during hiking excursions and subsequently discarded the packaging. Online commentary accompanying the images strongly criticised the littering, with many noting the contradiction between enjoying natural environments while simultaneously damaging them through irresponsible waste disposal.
The situation has highlighted ongoing concerns about countryside maintenance, with several social media respondents expressing interest in participating in future organised clean-up activities. The volunteer previously documented discovering even more inappropriate items, including used sanitary products, during earlier cleanup efforts.
Under Hong Kong’s Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance, littering within country parks and special areas carries a standardised fine of HK$3,000. The recent findings have prompted discussion about environmental stewardship and the importance of proper waste disposal among those utilising natural recreational spaces.
