Over 400 tonnes food waste collected in the first six months via trial scheme

More than 40 percent of residents used the smart recycling bins under the food waste collection trial scheme in public rental housing estates since last October, with over 400 tonnes of food waste collected.

The 18-month trial scheme, launched by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), covered about 30 blocks in five public rental housing estates in Aberdeen, Ngau Tau Kok, Tseung Kwan O, Kennedy Town and Chai Wan in the first phase.

The scheme aims to encourage the practices of food waste source separation, collection and recycling, which can mitigate environmental hygiene problems and reduce the burden on landfills.

Residents can earn GREEN$ upon submission of recyclables with smart recycling devices and redeem gifts including daily necessities and groceries, as well as environmentally friendly products.

The collection network expanded and commenced in three other housing estates in Tin Shui Wai, Ma On Shan and Tsz Wan Shan this March.

The short-term target of the scheme is to extend to cover about 100 blocks of public rental housing estates in 2023/24, EPD said.

The collected food waste was delivered to Organic Resource Recovery Centre at Siu Ho Wan to be converted into energy and compost.

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