Hong Kong is notorious for its wastefulness. Yet it has a well-deserved reputation for charity. So why not make use of our charity network to reduce waste? Over the years, various volunteer groups have dedicated time and efforts to this commendable course. From clothes recycling to food donation, there is no better way to curb wastage than by giving away the unwanted to people in need.

Credit goes to the Friends of the Earth for initiating a food recycling programme last summer. Comprising 36 groups, the Food Donation Alliance collects and redistributes discarded but still edible food to the poor. It goes beyond a food bank where recipients come to get what they need. With the help of volunteering students and new immigrant mothers, food can be distributed to the doorstep of those in need. That everything is done without government subsidy makes it even more praiseworthy. The programme deserves public support.

Unfortunately, a lack of funding, manpower shortage and high logistics costs mean the programme may cease at any moment. A recent survey of the participating groups showed that at least 10 of them had inadequate funding. Unless there is new funding, they risk ceasing operations soon. Other problems are storage and manpower. Soliciting food from commercial outlets is also difficult. It has been estimated that as many as 540 tonnes of edible food might be discarded into landfills each year if the participating groups stop their work. A million impoverished people will be left out as a result.