Upgraded Nature Rescue app supports clean-up initiatives and fosters greener Hong Kong
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Upgraded Nature Rescue app supports clean-up initiatives and fosters greener Hong Kong
The Nature Rescue mobile app, co-launched by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and Green Power, has been comprehensively upgraded into an interactive platform that mobilizes individuals and organizations to actively participate in nature clean-up efforts. Leveraging the app’s new features, over 100 primary and secondary school students, volunteers, and partners recently joined forces at Tung Chung Bay on Lantau Island for a large-scale clean-up, removing approximately 173 kilograms of waste and recyclables.
Nature Rescue is Hong Kong’s first mobile app dedicated to countryside and coastal clean-up, designed to assist the public in organizing and participating in such activities. It has recently undergone a major upgrade, optimizing existing features and adding new ones. A key enhancement allows trusted green partners to use the online platform to initiate, organize and promote clean-ups, recruit and communicate with volunteers, and facilitate group messaging.
Led by SHKP Executive Director Christopher Kwok, Director of Environmental Protection Dr Samuel Chui, and Green Power Activator Dr Man Chi Sum, the clean-up activity brought together many guests and volunteers, including four green partners, namely, A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Hong Kong Cleanup, Plastic Free Seas and Sea Education Association; three voluntary organizations – the Agency for Volunteer Service, Hong Kong Christian Service Bliss OPlus (elderly centre) and SHKP Volunteer Team; and two schools – HKMA David Li Kwok Po College and Po Leung Kuk Castar Primary School.
Mr Kwok said: “With over 1,100 kilometres of coastline, maintaining the cleanliness of Hong Kong’s coastal environment year-round is a challenge that cannot be shouldered by the government, individuals, or any single organization alone. That’s why SHKP has proactively taken the lead in mobilizing the public and collaborating with trusted partners to protect nature together. Over the years, SHKP has implemented a ‘three-step strategy’ to support clean-up efforts. First, we launched the SHKP Love Nature Campaign in 2011, leading by example through hands-on clean-ups. Then, in 2018, we launched Nature Rescue app, creating a platform that unites clean-up activities occurring at different times and locations across districts, rallying and connecting like-minded individuals. Now, with Phase Three—the upgraded Nature Rescue—we are empowering our green partners to host activities and further expand community engagement.”
Dr Chui stated, “The Environmental Protection Department is committed to raising public awareness of nature conservation through education and community engagement. To maintain clean coastlines in the long term, the most crucial and effective approach is ‘waste reduction at source’. The current government has made unprecedented efforts in this area, resulting in a continuous decline in waste disposal since 2021 – a total reduction of 7.5% over the past three years. Our recycling rate has also risen from a low of 28% in 2020 to 33% in 2023. Visits to our community recycling network, GREEN@COMMUNITY, have exceeded 12 million, an 80% increase over 2023, with the weight of collected recyclables rising by nearly 60% year-on-year. Initiatives like clean-up activities not only strengthen community cohesion but also allows participants to personally experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s ecology and engage more in waste reduction at source.”
Dr Man noted, “Since 2018, Nature Rescue has achieved excellent results, organizing over 270 clean-up activities with more than 7,800 participants, collecting over 25 tonnes of waste and recyclables.” He also revealed plans to launch eco-hiking tours that incorporate eco-learning elements into clean-up efforts, featuring expert-led sessions to share ecological knowledge. The programme will also offer equipment rental services to support those who wish to the conservation efforts but lack the necessary gear.
Over the past year or so, Nature Rescue has added multiple new features including a real-time group chat for participant interaction and a QR code check-in system to simplify event check-in. Green partners have praised these upgrades, noting how the all-in-one platform significantly improves event planning, promotion, and volunteer recruitment.
The upgraded Nature Rescue has achieved remarkable results, organizing 71 clean-up activities last year (a 50% year-on-year increase) and attracting about 2,500 participants (a nearly 70% year-on-year increase). Volunteers removed more than 7,000 kilograms of waste, far exceeding the 2,400 kilograms collected in 2023.
Nature Rescue earlier partnered with SHKP’s The Point, an integrated shopping mall loyalty programme, enabling The Point members to earn redeemable points by participating in conservation activities, integrating leisure, healthy living, and environmental protection into everyday life.
The Nature Rescue mobile app, co-launched by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) and Green Power, has been comprehensively upgraded into an interactive platform that mobilizes individuals and organizations to actively participate in nature clean-up efforts. Leveraging the app’s new features, over 100 primary and secondary school students, volunteers, and partners recently joined forces at Tung Chung Bay on Lantau Island for a large-scale clean-up, removing approximately 173 kilograms of waste and recyclables.
Nature Rescue is Hong Kong’s first mobile app dedicated to countryside and coastal clean-up, designed to assist the public in organizing and participating in such activities. It has recently undergone a major upgrade, optimizing existing features and adding new ones. A key enhancement allows trusted green partners to use the online platform to initiate, organize and promote clean-ups, recruit and communicate with volunteers, and facilitate group messaging.
Led by SHKP Executive Director Christopher Kwok, Director of Environmental Protection Dr Samuel Chui, and Green Power Activator Dr Man Chi Sum, the clean-up activity brought together many guests and volunteers, including four green partners, namely, A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Hong Kong Cleanup, Plastic Free Seas and Sea Education Association; three voluntary organizations – the Agency for Volunteer Service, Hong Kong Christian Service Bliss OPlus (elderly centre) and SHKP Volunteer Team; and two schools – HKMA David Li Kwok Po College and Po Leung Kuk Castar Primary School.
Mr Kwok said: “With over 1,100 kilometres of coastline, maintaining the cleanliness of Hong Kong’s coastal environment year-round is a challenge that cannot be shouldered by the government, individuals, or any single organization alone. That’s why SHKP has proactively taken the lead in mobilizing the public and collaborating with trusted partners to protect nature together. Over the years, SHKP has implemented a ‘three-step strategy’ to support clean-up efforts. First, we launched the SHKP Love Nature Campaign in 2011, leading by example through hands-on clean-ups. Then, in 2018, we launched Nature Rescue app, creating a platform that unites clean-up activities occurring at different times and locations across districts, rallying and connecting like-minded individuals. Now, with Phase Three—the upgraded Nature Rescue—we are empowering our green partners to host activities and further expand community engagement.”
Dr Chui stated, “The Environmental Protection Department is committed to raising public awareness of nature conservation through education and community engagement. To maintain clean coastlines in the long term, the most crucial and effective approach is ‘waste reduction at source’. The current government has made unprecedented efforts in this area, resulting in a continuous decline in waste disposal since 2021 – a total reduction of 7.5% over the past three years. Our recycling rate has also risen from a low of 28% in 2020 to 33% in 2023. Visits to our community recycling network, GREEN@COMMUNITY, have exceeded 12 million, an 80% increase over 2023, with the weight of collected recyclables rising by nearly 60% year-on-year. Initiatives like clean-up activities not only strengthen community cohesion but also allows participants to personally experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s ecology and engage more in waste reduction at source.”
Dr Man noted, “Since 2018, Nature Rescue has achieved excellent results, organizing over 270 clean-up activities with more than 7,800 participants, collecting over 25 tonnes of waste and recyclables.” He also revealed plans to launch eco-hiking tours that incorporate eco-learning elements into clean-up efforts, featuring expert-led sessions to share ecological knowledge. The programme will also offer equipment rental services to support those who wish to the conservation efforts but lack the necessary gear.
Over the past year or so, Nature Rescue has added multiple new features including a real-time group chat for participant interaction and a QR code check-in system to simplify event check-in. Green partners have praised these upgrades, noting how the all-in-one platform significantly improves event planning, promotion, and volunteer recruitment.
The upgraded Nature Rescue has achieved remarkable results, organizing 71 clean-up activities last year (a 50% year-on-year increase) and attracting about 2,500 participants (a nearly 70% year-on-year increase). Volunteers removed more than 7,000 kilograms of waste, far exceeding the 2,400 kilograms collected in 2023.
Nature Rescue earlier partnered with SHKP’s The Point, an integrated shopping mall loyalty programme, enabling The Point members to earn redeemable points by participating in conservation activities, integrating leisure, healthy living, and environmental protection into everyday life.
- Email media@shkp.com