#UmbrellaRevolution: The Greenest Protests In The World

By Sonalie Figueiras Published on Oct 3, 2014 Last updated Nov 6, 2015

3 Mins Read

Hong Kong does not top greenest city lists very often. But during the past few days, the ever-practical and respectfully ecological mindset of Hong Kong people has become inspiringly apparent. The people of Asia’s world city have captured the minds and won the hearts of millions around the world who are watching as they peacefully protest in the name of democracy, all the while making sure they make minimal mess and continue to recycle. And to think most of this drive for sustainability during a tense time is being orchestrated by students! The #UmbrellaRevolution is sure to earn top billing as the world’s greenest protests.

Constant Cleaning

Individual sit-in areas are so clean there is nary an insect in sight. There are designated rubbish areas every few metres with clear signage. Posters encouraging people to be tidy are hung all over the place.

Volunteers walk around with open garbage bags, collecting trash constantly. Most of the time, the volunteers are met with a cheerful: “no thank you”. Protesters are happy to collect their own personal trash and walk it to the garbage bins themselves.

Carton Clearance

Volunteers flatten and pack cartons and paper, creating piles for later pick up.

Separation Stations

There are special recycling stations where trash is separated into the different types of recycling: cans, cardboard/paper, plastics.

Relentless Recycling

Volunteers carry recycling garbage bags, helping to collect what can be recycled. Whilst helping, we were told to request that protesters do the separation themselves as this was an opportunity for ecological education! The self-service recycling areas are another example of this effort to impart knowledge.

People for Plastics

Plastic bottle separation stands where volunteers separate plastic caps, water bottle plastic wraparound labels and flatten the bottles themselves.

From Bottles to Goggles

Ingenious students make up for the lack of protective eyewear by making goggles out of discarded plastic bottles.

Banana Peel Production

Cheerful protesters turn their sitting time into a station of sustainability, turning old banana peels into eco-friendly cleaning liquid.

Shelter & Solidarity

The whole point of sustainability is to engender interconnectedness, to inspire human beings to reconnect with their natural environment and make consumption choices that are respectful of animals, plants and resources. Unspoken in that pact is the importance of respecting other human beings. This touching image of a protester sheltering a policeman during heavy rain epitomizes the uniting powder of such respect during a time where ideas and beliefs can separate us.

Author

Sonalie Figueiras

2021 Women of Power, 2019 GEN T Honoree, V Label Global Hero, 2 x TEDx Speaker: Serial social entrepreneur & trends forecaster Sonalie Figueiras is a sustainability expert, food futurist and eco-powerhouse who has been inspiring global audiences for over a decade with practical steps on how to fight climate change. Known as the Green Queen of Asia, she is the founder and Editor in Chief of the award-winning Green Queen - the region’s first impact media platform that educates millions of readers on the connection between health, sustainability and the environment and showcases future solutions. She is also the co-founder and CEO of organic sourcing platform Ekowarehouse and climate tech SaaS Source Green, which helps consumer brands quit plastic packaging thanks to proprietary plastic reduction software. In addition, Sonalie is a global keynote speaker and an advisor to multiple mission-driven startups and NGOs, and a venture partner to several VC funds.
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