Women take lead to end food waste

A total of 180 organisations spanning seven sectors have agreed to join in the fight to reduce food waste.

The campaign, called ‘FoodEver, WasteNever’ Program, is the first cross-sector public campaign on food waste reduction.

It is being organised jointly by the Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association (香港女工商及專業人員聯會) and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (香港生產力促進局).

Participants have agreed to abide by a series of guidelines to reduce food waste while also increasing recycling.

Food and beverage services and property management are the two best-represented sectors.

Participants in the scheme may install equipment to process food waste on site.

The best end result is the production of fertiliser for landscaping.

Participants who follow the programme for 18 months qualify for what is known as a WasteNever Award.

Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended its launch ceremony.

Lam says she is confident that a woman-powered campaign can change the situation for the better and not least because many woman are kitchen chefs.

Association president Sandra Mak Wong Siuchun (麥黃小珍) said she hopes the government will extend more assistance to the programme.

(This article is published on Junior Standard on 17 March 2016)

Food Wise Hong Kong
http://www.foodwisehk.gov.hk/en/news.php

Hong Kong food waste statistics
http://feedinghk.org/food-waste-stats/