Sino Group and EcoBricks Jointly Launch Breakthrough Solution to Upcycle Plastic Waste into Sustainable Construction Materials

Over 5,400 kg of plastic waste upcycled at Gold Coast,the inaugural application of EcoBricks

HONG KONG,June 7,2022 -- As part of its continued effort to drive sustainable and green development,Sino Group (the 'Group'),along with local start-up EcoBricks Limited,have jointly inaugurated a breakthrough solution to plastic waste in Hong Kong,which has the ability to upcycle all types of plastics into sustainable construction materials. The launching ceremony,today,was officiated by Mr Wong Kam-sing,GBS,JP,Secretary for the Environment,in the presence of like-minded industrial and green partners at Gold Coast,the inaugural EcoBricks project,for the introduction of EcoBricks that has been awarded the Gold Medal with the Congratulations of the Jury,at the 2022 Special Edition of the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions.

The Hong Kong Government has unveiled the 'Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035',mapping out a comprehensive plastic management strategy,while Sino Group is continuing its efforts to reduce and recycle single-use plastics as part of the commitments under the 'Decarbonisation Blueprint' that sets a holistic roadmap to strive for net zero carbon by 2050. Plastic is typically classified into seven types,and EcoBricks' breakthrough solution reimagines the plastic journey with its proprietary and process formula,which has the ability to upcycle all seven types of plastic waste,including mixed and composite plastics that are currently impossible to recycle and would otherwise go to landfill. The upcycled EcoBricks are 'green concrete' for use in a wide variety of industry-standard construction materials,developing a circular economy solution to Hong Kong's plastic waste issue.

Mr Shervin Sharghy,Founder of EcoBricks,said,"We are incredibly thankful for the pivotal role that Sino Group has played in offering invaluable guidance and support from the very start of our journey,enabling us to turn our innovative concept into reality. Our founding vision was of a scalable circular economy solution that would increase recycling rates whilst at the same time providing more sustainable solutions for our built environment. EcoBricks targets hard to recycle plastic waste that very often ends up in landfills or our natural environment. We have implemented a low-energy 100% cold production process with no heating or melting of waste plastics and therefore no harmful emissions or pollutants. EcoBricks can replace up to 50% of natural aggregates in concrete bricks with unwanted plastic waste. This means up to 2,000kg of plastic waste is diverted from landfills for every 100 square metres of EcoBricks produced,equivalent to 200,000 plastic bottles."

Mr Wong Kam-sing,Secretary for the Environment remarked,"I am delighted to see Sino Group leveraging innovation and technology to transform plastic waste into construction materials,with a view to exploring new ways to strengthen local resource recycling. To achieve the targets and visions set out in the 'Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035' and the 'Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2050',technology breakthroughs and the participation of the whole community are both crucial. This project is a good example of the real estate industry's commitment to the community and its support of innovation,in line with Hong Kong's target to strive for carbon neutrality before 2050. Meanwhile,I call on the public to enhance waste reduction at source and clean recycling,and to support a circular economy and green employment,so as to reduce waste and carbon emissions together."

"Sino Group is dedicated to making sustainability a driver of our business,and exploring innovative solutions that shape a healthier and more sustainable environment. Sino Inno Lab provides a sandbox platform to support start-ups to develop innovative PropTech solutions that benefit the industry. We are excited that this vision has been realised through this partnership and the EcoBricks project at Gold Coast. The Group is also committed to developing a platform to promote the concept of circular economy,through engaging different stakeholders and nurturing start-ups for the application of innovative solutions to environmental issues and promoting the importance of sustainability," said Mr David Ng,Group Associate Director of Sino Group.

EcoBricks were first introduced at Gold Coast Piazza in Tuen Mun with over 15,000 EcoBricks utilised to pave the Promenade and line the Leaf Path. These bricks were upcycled from the plastic from over 560 old washing machines,equivalent to 5,400 kg of plastic waste. The Group will continue to deploy EcoBricks at other suitable properties,including Olympian City and The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong,as well as strengthening engagement with tenants and customers in supporting plastic recycling and upcycling into EcoBricks.

A video on the Sino-EcoBricks partnership is available at https://bit.ly/3Nn0v3z.

Sino Group announced its partnership with EcoBricks at the launching ceremony,officiated Mr Wong Kam-sing,with Mr David Ng,Group Associate Director of Sino Group,and Mr Shervin Sharghy,Founder of EcoBricks

Also in attendance at the launching ceremony,representatives from green partners and industrial associations. Sino Group is committed to developing a platform to promote the concept of circular economy through connecting different stakeholders

EcoBricks is Hong Kong’s first circular economy-based solution that has the ability to turn all seven types of plastic waste into sustainable construction materials

Gold Coast is the inaugural location where EcoBricks has been utilised,and Sino Group will continue to deploy EcoBricks at other properties like Olympian City and The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong