EPD warns fake recycling subsidy plan, reports case
HK01 · 4 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department said it recently received public enquiries about a poster claiming that a company and the department had jointly launched a “Recyclable Resources Recycling Incentive Scheme”, under which people would receive subsidies for recycling. The department said it has never jointly launched such a scheme with any organisation and has never authorised any person or group to use its name or logo for related publicity. It added that the Environmental Protection Department logo and the logos of related companies shown on the poster were false, and that it has reported the incident to police. The department urged the public not to trust suspicious posters, links or messaging-app information, and to avoid giving personal or financial information to unknown sources.
Key Points
- The Environmental Protection Department said the circulating poster promoted a so-called “Recyclable Resources Recycling Incentive Scheme” that promised subsidies in return for recycling.
- Officials said the department had never partnered with any organisation to launch the scheme and had never introduced a project under that name.
- The department also said no person or group had been authorised to use the Environmental Protection Department’s name and logo in related publicity materials.
- After reviewing the material, the department said the Environmental Protection Department logo and the logos of related companies shown on the poster were false.
- The department has reported the case to police and advised anyone who provided personal data or made transactions to seek police help quickly.
Why It Matters
The warning matters because the alleged scheme was framed around subsidies, which could make residents more willing to click links, share details or transfer money if they believe an official recycling programme is involved. For Hong Kong readers, the immediate practical issue is verification: official names, logos and environmental messaging can be misused, so suspicious offers tied to public bodies should be checked before any data or payment is provided.