Tackle food waste today to create a sustainable future

Food waste is an escalating problem in Hong Kong. Not only is it a resource problem, it is also a moral one.

First, technological progress is a major contributing factor. Hi-tech improvements to global transport of produce mean that exotic foodstuffs from all over the world are now readily available in Hong Kong, resulting in numerous restaurants in the city offering different types of cuisine.

While this has transformed Hong Kong into a food paradise, it has also led to high levels of food waste. Restaurant and hotel buffets produce mountains of uneaten food every day, which in turn ends up in landfills, putting pressure on a limited resource.

An additional contributing factor is the lack of education given to children on the subject. Hong Kong is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, and most children living here enjoy safe, comfortable lives. However, they often lack a sense of how precious food is. If they are not educated about the importance of food then they will never change their wasteful habits.

Undeniably, the government should take the lead in dealing with this problem. It has been suggested that restaurants be encouraged to deal with food waste in a proactive manner. Considering that there are still many people living under the poverty line in Hong Kong, restaurants could make this food available to those in need rather than just throwing it away.

Parents also need to be targeted in the education drive. While children should be taught the importance and value of food, parents need to learn about food conservation, which they in turn can pass on to their children. It is their duty to instil in their children a sense of morality and teach them how to behave correctly for the future benefit of Hong Kong and all of its residents.