Hong Kong's waste problem and limited landfill space is common knowledge but perhaps less known is that a large proportion of this waste is organic. Such waste could be reduced at source, reused by distributing unspoilt food to those in need and/or separated and re-used in either composting, generating bioenergy, animal feed, at the organic waste treatment facility or other tailored applications.
Is Hong Kong too crowded for proper recycling? What are myths and what are real challenges towards a more sustainable future for food waste management? What are the actions Hong Kong should take to reduce its organic waste? Which obstacles are commonplace everywhere and could be most easily addressed? Which examples from other places could be particularly inspiring? What could be drivers for the industry (food retailers, hospitality sector, etc.) to improve their food waste management?
This event will aim to showcase the approaches being used in Hong Kong that could help to reduce food waste with the objective of understanding and investigating the:
- food waste issue from different perspectives;
- key constraints to achieving more food waste reduction, reuse or recycling;
- key achievements of those active in this field; and
- future challenges and recommendations.
About the speakers:
Rita Poon - Hygiene Manager, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Rita Poon is a professionally-trained food safety executive with over 10 years’ experience in the food industry. She graduated from King’s College London, achieving the Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and has held various positions in the field of food quality, safety and legality in London. Rita joined Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in 2006 as a Hygiene Manager. She is in charge of the implementation of HACCP based Food Safety Management System for the Food and Beverage Operation. Rita now co-chairs the Hygiene & Safety Committee and the Green Team driving environmental excellence.
Martin Putnam, Corporate Environmental Manager, Hong Kong Airport Authority
Martin Putnam is the Environmental Manager for the Airport Authority Hong Kong and has 18 years experience in the environmental field in Hong Kong. He has a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science and a Masters Degree in Marine Resource Management, and currently serves on the Board of the Business Environment Council. Martin is responsible for developing and implementing environmental strategy at Hong Kong International Airport. He coordinates environmental compliance and manages business environmental risk areas. He is tasked with championing environmental best practices across the airport business community with key objectives being to minimize the airport's environmental footprint and to maximize energy and resource use efficiencies.
Gabrielle Kirsten, Feeding Hong Kong
Gabrielle Kirstein is Executive Director of Feeding Hong Kong, a Hong Kong registered charity with a mission to fight hunger in Hong Kong and reduce the amount of quality food being sent to our city’s landfills. Feeding Hong Kong is the only food bank in Hong Kong dealing exclusively with surplus food. Gabrielle started her career at the international advertising agency Bates UK and their integrated communication consultancy 141 London. She moved to Hong Kong in 2003 as Marketing Manager for Interior Enhancement Limited, a luxury interior design company, and then worked as Senior Programme Manager for Euromoney Conferences.
WP Yu - Senior Environmental Protection Officer, Environmental Protection Department
Yu Wang-pong is a Senior Environmental Protection Officer, Infrastructure Planning Group of the Environmental Protection Department and has 19 years experience working with EPD. WP is currently responsible for the implementation of the Organic Waste Treatment Facilities phase 1 in Siu Ho Wan and the Food Waste Recycling Partnership Scheme.
About the moderator:
Dr. Andrew L. Thomson
Almost 30 years ago, Dr Andrew Thomson was inspired to pursue a career in environmental protection when he participated in an expedition to the Arctic to assess the impact of global warming and air pollution as recorded in the annual ice layers in Arctic glaciers. Since that time he has dedicated his life, first to environmental studies and then as a champion for change within the business community on the root causes of pollution and unsustainable resource consumption. His 25 years of working experience include 19 years in Hong Kong.
Andrew is a member of the HKSAR Government’s Council for Sustainable Development and Waste Disposal Appeal Board Panel. He served as CEO of Hong Kong’s Business Environment Council (BEC) from Feb 2001 to Oct 2011, and has recently embarked on a new path as an independent environmental professional – working with businesses, NGOs, and educational institutions to inspire change and help individuals and organisations become more sustainable.
