Using good-as-new notes for lai-see

As the Chinese New Year draws near, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) encourages the public to continue supporting the use of good-as-new notes, instead of brand-new ones, for lai-see.  Given that Hong Kong's currency notes are maintained at a high standard of cleanliness, good-as-new notes are perfectly suitable for use as lai-see.
 
The HKMA started to promote the use of good-as-new notes for lai-see in 2006.  Thanks to the support of the public and the note-issuing banks, the share of good-as-new notes issued in the run-up to each Chinese New Year has increased from 20% in 2006 to around 45% in recent years.  The HKMA encourages the public to continue supporting the environmental protection and use more good-as-new notes for lai-see.
 
The three note-issuing banks will start exchanging new notes on 10 February.  As in previous years, they will provide sufficient new and good-as-new notes of various denominations to meet demand for notes.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
21 January 2015