PARKnSHOP launches monthly 'Green Day'
Five ways to make Hong Kong cleaner and greener

Hong Kong (28 February 2007)

PARKnSHOP is proud to announce its latest and biggest commitment so far to improving the state of the environment - a dedicated day once a month on which we work with consumers to think and act green.

'PARKnSHOP Green Day' will be held on the first Tuesday of every month and be marked in all Hong Kong PARKnSHOP stores. The first Green Day will be next week, on Tuesday, March 6.

PARKnSHOP is the first Hong Kong retailer to make this level of commitment to the environment.

This campaign builds on the success of last year's initiative to reduce plastic waste through the Voluntary Agreement on Plastic Bag Reduction with the Environmental Protection Department. Signed last March, the agreement committed PARKnSHOP to reduce the number of plastic shopping bags used by 15% (40 million bags) between 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007. By December last year, that target had already been surpassed, with 43 million saved.

Green Day works five ways to raise both community awareness of green issues, and to raise money to fund green education for Hong Kong children.

1.	Customers will be asked to donate 50 cents for each plastic bag they use at the checkout, in the hope they'll be encouraged to use fewer bags. This follows the success of the No Plastic Bag Day last year.
2.	Selected organic foods, fresh and healthy ingredients or environmentally friendly cleaning products will be specially discounted, giving shoppers an incentive to think more carefully about which products they buy, for their own health and that of the environment.
3.	All PARKnSHOP stores, over 220, will appoint a Green Ambassador, a member of staff who will be given a special briefing on environmental issues. They will encourage their colleagues to reduce their own waste, not just on PARKnSHOP Green Day but every day.
4.	An environmental "Tip of the Day" will be posted in the windows of all PARKnSHOP stores. The advice will come from Green Power.
5.	PARKnSHOP's Earth Baby mascot will visit selected stores, reminding shoppers to consider the environment's effects on the next generation. Children will be able to meet Earth Baby and even pose for pictures.

"We strongly believe that the best way to change people's behaviour when it comes to the environment is to raise awareness of the big issues, and give them incentives to do the right thing." says Mr Philippe Giard, Managing Director for PARKnSHOP Hong Kong.

In recent years, PARKnSHOP has proved itself a pioneer in this area, and has been working closely with the Environmental Protection Department and environmental groups on annual campaigns to reduce the number of plastic bags being thrown away.

"With PARKnSHOP Green Day, we're taking environmental awareness to a new level." Mr Giard says.

"We want to maintain the momentum we've built up on reducing plastic waste and create a green shopping environment that will run right through our stores, and involve our own staff."

As customers approach PARKnSHOP stores on Green Day, they'll see Green Power's environmental Tip of the Day. As they browse, they'll see green products on special offer. If they need to use a plastic bag, they'll be asked to donate 50 cents towards environmental education, and our staff, through our Green Ambassadors, will be making changes to their own habits too.

All money raised on PARKnSHOP Green Day will go directly to Green Power's "Zero Waste Action" education programme, which teaches students in primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong the importance of reducing waste, and encourages them to pass the message on to their families.

Green Power will provide comprehensive teaching materials to schools in the scheme, which will number around a hundred. These "Zero Waste Schools" will commit to reducing their own waste as well as providing environmental education. Green Power will rate schools' efforts and nominate the best three schools for a special prize.

Families of children at "Zero Waste Schools" will be encouraged to collect PARKnSHOP till receipts showing how much cash rebate they've earned by not using plastic bags. Prizes will be awarded to those with the biggest rebate.

Mr Giard says: "Waste management is a community - wide problem, and with Green Day we're providing part of a community-wide solution. We're giving customers in our stores, children in our schools, and our own staff, more reason to think and act green."

About PARKnSHOP

Since its launch in 1973, PARKnSHOP has established itself as Hong Kong's leading supermarket chain. Through constant innovation and a commitment to delivering world-class standards of quality, freshness, service and value, PARKnSHOP has also become one of Hong Kong consumers' most trusted brands.

Our well-known 'Fresh Check' and 'PriceWatch' programmes guarantee customers the highest possible levels of food safety, at the lowest prices in town. And through our 'We Make Your Day' corporate philosophy, we also promise to deliver outstanding choice and exceptional service.

PARKnSHOP's retailing foresight and management drive is well recognised through numerous industry and community awards.

PARKnSHOP operates more than 230 outlets in Hong Kong and Macau. More than 50 are Superstores.

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