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Hong Kong’s Ocean Park Corporation is today marking Earth Day 2025 with the first anniversary of the Jockey Club Marine Plastic Challenge Education Programme - a pioneering initiative that embodies the global theme for this year's Earth Day – ‘Our Power, Our Planet’.

Earth Day is an annual event held on 22^nd April to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held in 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally including one billion people in more than 193 countries.

Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and led by Ocean Park Corporation, the Jockey Club Marine Plastic Challenge Education Programme deploys four solar-powered vessels designed and built by Clean Waterways Initiative in 2019 to clear marine debris from Victoria Harbour and Aberdeen Harbour.

Over the past year, these vessels have removed over 50,000 plastic bottles, 27,000 aluminium cans and nearly 30 tonnes of landfill waste from these two busy waterways. In addition, the use of solar energy has reduced more than 43,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions during their mission.

Ocean Park also goes beyond clean-up efforts by actively engaging the community through educational initiatives. Leveraging the curiosity sparked by the eye-catching boats and innovative concept of the project, the programme has reached out to over 7,000 students and members of the general public through school outreach, interschool competitions and community carnivals, enhancing awareness of plastic-free and marine pollution.

Isabel Li, Head of Education at Ocean Park Corporation notes “The Jockey Club Marine Plastic Challenge Education Programme aligns with Earth Day 2025’s call for action and inspires everyone to embrace renewable energy and build a healthy, sustainable future.

‘As one of the flagship activities of Ocean Park’s conservation advocacy initiative Mission R, the programme is a powerful demonstration of Ocean Park’s commitment to environmental stewardship and positive co-existence with nature. We are not only cleaning our harbours but also inspiring a new generation to champion ecosystem diversity and embrace sustainable practices for a healthier planet."

Ocean Park’s Mission R campaign comprises three pillars which promote behavioural changes to protect the environment and preserve ecosystem diversity. These include ‘Plastic Challenge’, ‘Saving Species and Habitats’, and ‘Eat Local’.

For more information

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