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24%
The second
largest constituent
of waste is paper
20%
PAPER
FOOD
of the total waste that ends up
in landfills in Hong Kong
PLASTIC
followed closely
by plastic waste
W
34-44%
ant to join the green
movement but not sure
how? Any way in which
you can contribute to
waste reduction in Hong Kong helps the
whole planet. Here in our tiny city, where
space is so limited, the landfills are at
their limits. Since us Hongkongers seem
to generate more waste per person than
in Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei, it’s time to
think about avoiding the generation of
waste in the first place.
In order to reduce our waste, it’s
helpful to know what we are actually
throwing out. According to the
Environmental Protection Department
(EPD), the majority of waste going into our
landfills is food waste. It makes up 34-44
per cent of the total waste that ends up in
landfills in Hong Kong. The second largest
constituent of waste, at 24 per cent,
is paper, which is followed closely by
plastic waste at 20 per cent. So if we can
individually direct our efforts in reducing
the top three contributors, we can make
a big impact on our environment.
Food waste can be curbed by buying
only what you need, when you need it,
and making use of leftover food before
it spoils. Cooking meals at home does
generate some waste in the form of fruit
and vegetable peels as well as things
like onion skins, but you can easily
compost these. Composting at home
can work well if you have the space
and have a use for the end product:
Hongkongers seem to generate more waste per
person than in Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei
compost, which is an amazingly rich
and nutrient-dense growing medium
that can enrich soil. But most of us
don’t have the space for this and might
not find a use for the compost.
With the introduction of a
government-sponsored composting
scheme, some estates and schools
around Hong Kong have been able to
acquire on-site composting machines
at no cost. If more building complexes
had these, imagine the reduction
in food waste going into landfills.
For more information on the “Food
Waste Recycling Projects in Housing
Estates” programme, see: www.
wastereduction.gov.hk/en/hd-fwrs/
faqs.html.
Another option for smaller buildings
and individuals is Hong Kong
Community Composting who will take
food scraps dropped off in its bins
scattered across the districts and turn
them into mulch at a New Territories
processing facility. Alternatively, you
can learn to compost at home with
their help or book a collection. More
info here: www.hkcomposting.com
At schools, smaller scale composting
machines can be implemented and
used for post-lunch waste. The
compost can then be used in the
school garden. Kennedy School in
Pokfulam has one of these machines
www.oklininternational.com/
technology/.
POLL:
• Did you know the Hong Kong
government has a food waste
recycling scheme?
• Does your building have a
compost system?
• Does your school participate in
any food composting?
CONCLUSION:
Your efforts matter and will make a
difference to our collective future.
OTHER HELPFUL IDEAS
AND RECIPES:
Individuals can reduce their
waste by buying items with less
packaging, using reusable bags for
shopping, and separating waste
paper, metals and plastics from
daily waste for recycling.
The EPD also offers industry-
specific information on waste
reduction and outlets for
recyclable materials.
Rather than throw out leftovers,
you can find so many creative
ways to use them to make another
meal. If you’re a spaghetti lover,
try making a delicious spaghetti
frittata with your extra spaghetti.
http://www.eatingwell.com/
recipe/251454/spaghetti-frittata/
If you have a variety of
vegetables that need to be
used up, why not make a hearty
veg soup? https://www.
bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8029/
versatile-veg-soup
We rarely have left over rice as it
gets used for fried rice the next day,
but if you have more than you can
use, this rice pudding is a sweet
option: https://greatist.com/eat/
recipes/healthier-rice-pudding
Autumn 2019
19