The number of verbal warnings issued against wax-burning on the Mid-Autumn Festival fell 15% over a year earlier to 1,945, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department says.

The amount of rubbish collected in the department's venues also dipped 5.3%, to 106.3 tonnes, of which more than 100 tonnes was placed in litter bins. At a number of popular venues, the quantity of rubbish collected also showed decreases when compared with last year's and most rubbish was disposed of in litter bins.

People should keep places clean and not to burn wax. Littering at the department's venues - including parks, beaches and barbecue sites - is liable to a $1,500 fixed penalty. The maximum penalty for wax burning is a $2,000 fine and 14 days' jail.