LettersHow Typhoon Mangkhut waste could help build Hong Kong

If the government makes provisions for the composting of fallen leaves, they could be used to make soil conditioner

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Part of the tree waste previously stored in temporary collection area in Kai Tak after Typhoon Mangkhut is shipped to West New Territories Landfill in Tuen Mun on October 19. About 7,000 tonnes of trees were felled by Hong Kong’s strongest typhoon since records began. Photo: Roy Issa

Published: 1:38pm, 25 Nov 2018Updated: 3:02pm, 25 Nov 2018

As a landscape professional, I understand complexities and difficulties of “recycling” the waste wood from Typhoon Mangkhut. Unfortunately, we appear not to have the necessary facilities available at the moment for such a massive task (“How trees in landfill tell the story of Hong Kong”, November 18).

However, and I’m sure Professor Jim Chi-yung and others in the industry will agree, leaves are not “litter”. Hong Kong must embrace the composting of fallen leaves. These should never be bagged and sent off to landfill.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Environment Protection Department and related departments need to urgently shift gear and use this valuable organic compost in our ever-increasing infrastructure developments. Soil mix is currently 75 per cent CDG (completely decomposed granite) and 25 per cent soil conditioner. The former is cheap and easy to obtain; the latter is not.

I urge the government to embrace the simple recycling of fallen leaves and help develop our sustainable future. This valuable natural resource does not belong in a landfill.

Barnaby Paul Smith, Lantau

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} If the government makes provisions for the composting of fallen leaves, they could be used to make soil conditioner

If the government makes provisions for the composting of fallen leaves, they could be used to make soil conditioner