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Hong Kong Monetary Authority coin collection programme

The Coin Collection Programme, launched in October 2014, is the world’s first structured coin collection scheme using a mobile approach.  The two Coin Carts collect coins from the public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotational basis and free of charge.  The coins collected are then recirculated to meet public demand, making circulation more efficient and reducing the need for minting new coins. 

New service schedule

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced a new service schedule of the two “Coin Carts” under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of 4 October 2021 up to 5 December 2021.

Overall results

Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to 31 July 2021, the two Coin Carts had carried out 852,000 transactions, collecting 691 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,035 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.

The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly.

Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.

Future development

The HKMA plan to review the Programme from time and time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public as they develop their programme.


CTMfile take: Every little helps in the battle to slow the growth of global warming. Minting new coins does have an impact, so this initiative is to be welcomed.

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