Government vows to cut Hong Kong's food waste by 10 per cent
New steering committee aims to 'terminate' excesses and also launch collection charges
The government hopes to cut Hong Kong's food waste by 10 per cent in three years.
Environment Secretary Wong Kam-sing announced yesterday that a Food Wise Hong Kong Steering Committee had been formed to work out the strategies and measures needed to hit the 10 per cent target.
Led by Wong, it includes executives from catering chain Maxim's and Wellcome supermarket, food bank representatives, school principals, academics and green groups and will first meet on Thursday.
Wong also vowed to introduce municipal solid waste charges by 2016, and to consult the public next year on how to collect the fees.
He said the campaign aimed to reduce food waste at source. While he did not publicly give a timetable, sources said 2015 was the target date. "We are introducing the Food Wise campaign as a response to the chief executive's election platform to 'terminate' food waste," he said.
Wong added that the committee would work on changing household habits, establishing a code of practice for trades, and facilitating food donations to charity. It would also co-ordinate efforts by government and public bodies to set a good example.