Last year, 11 Hong Kong women from the Tatler community joined forces to fight one of our world’s most pressing issues: single-use plastics. Armed with stainless steel straws, reusable tote bags and various shapes and forms of Tupperware, they have been spreading the anti-single-use plastics movement through outreach and education programmes at Hong Kong schools, private members clubs and local sports teams (and that’s just the start). With a mission to make the world a better (single-use plastics-free) place—not just for themselves but for their children—we get to know these 11 inspirational women through our latest series featuring EcoDrive Hong Kong. First up is Claire Yates, founder of local stationery brand Lion Rock Press turned eco-warrior:
Why and how did you decide to become one of the founders of EcoDrive Hong Kong?
Laura Derry (another EcoDrive co-founder) connected Yolanda Choy-Tang and I because she felt we had similar views on the plastic problem in Hong Kong.
Tell us about your personal background when it comes to environmental issues.
I was an ardent nature enthusiast but was never heavily involved in any frontline environmental issues until I started my #NoPlasticMmGoi range for my company, The Lion Rock Press. Once I started researching the issue, I couldn’t unlearn what I’d found out. I became focused on the power I had to make a difference in Hong Kong.
We teamed up with Photo Escapes to make a film, "Start Small, Start Now”, about the plastic crisis in our city, and I learnt so much about not only the problems but also the potential solutions. I feel passionate about showing the film to as many people as possible so that we can all be part of the solution together.
Why are you passionate about reducing single-use plastics?
I’m passionate about re-educating people who see this virtually indestructible material as “disposable”. The vast majority of single-use plastic is simply unnecessary and we can easily live without it. It’s a very visible problem, so it’s very motivating when you see the impact of making small changes in your life or your business.
See also: Where To Get Eco-Friendly Beauty Products In Hong Kong
What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to plastics usage in HK?
There are so many, but I would say people using plastic bags when it simply is not necessary—only to be discarded moments later. It’s incredibly wasteful and so easily avoided. We need to use our voices and refuse these bags, rather than passively take them when we don’t need them.