One bin per block set in food-waste drive

Ayra Wang

To step up a campaign to reduce food waste, the government plans to install at least one collection bin in every block of public housing estates within the next two years, Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan told Legislative Council members.

Tse said the government had already installed a total of nearly 700 food waste smart recycling bins in over 90 percent of public housing estates.

"It is expected the food waste smart recycling bins will be installed in all 213 public housing estates by July, which is one month ahead of the original schedule," he said.

These bins, launched under a trial scheme in October 2022, come equipped with features like overflow prevention and odor abatement to maintain cleanliness.

Residents can earn reward points for using the facilities, which can be redeemed for items like toilet rolls and instant noodles.

The bins also have sensors that automatically notify cleaners when the inner bin is 70 percent full, allowing for timely replacement.

"The Environmental Protection Department has provided additional resources to the Housing Department to enhance cleaning services related to the food waste bins," Tse said.

The government also plans to add more bins in public housing estates that see high usage.

"The government will gradually increase the number of food waste smart recycling bins in public housing estates, with the goal of achieving one bin per block within two years," he said.

Tse said the government is also working on adding more such bins in public housing estates with high usage of food waste recycling facilities and is expecting to set up additional bins in 55 public housing estates within the fourth quarter.

Once the two-year pilot providing free bins for estates with over 1,000 households ends, the plan is to offer free collectors to private estates with fewer households.

Over 400 food waste collectors are expected to be deployed in private housing this fiscal year.

Beyond residential areas, the government is setting up about 100 food waste recycling spots across districts to enable nighttime kerbside collection.

Additionally, around 100 existing rubbish collection points under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will be equipped with food waste collectors for use by nearby residents and restaurants.

This comprehensive strategy aims to make food waste recycling more accessible and incentivize participation from both public and private housing communities in Hong Kong.