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The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (September 18) officiated at a launch event for the Food Wise Hong Kong (FWHK) Campaign roving exhibition and related district activities, which aim to further promote food waste reduction at the district level and bring a "Food Wise" culture to the whole community. Mr Wong also announced the launch of a FWHK Facebook page.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at Telford Plaza I in Kowloon Bay, Mr Wong noted that the Environment Bureau unveiled "A Food Waste & Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong" this year, outlining the current situation of food waste and yard waste in Hong Kong and mapping out a future direction to tackle such waste using a multi-pronged approach, including the target of reducing food waste by 5 to 10 per cent by 2017/18 under the FWHK Campaign. He called on all sectors to collaborate in food waste reduction.
Mr Wong noted that since the launch of the FWHK Campaign a series of promotional activities have been organised to encourage households and different sectors to treasure food and reduce food waste. He said that the Campaign will continue to hold different district activities such as roving exhibitions, community engagement events, food donation and collaboration with relevant sectors with a view to deepening the awareness of members of the public and organisations on the issue.
The FWHK Campaign will stage 10 roving exhibitions in various districts starting this month, aiming to bring the message of food waste reduction to the community and encourage the public to reduce food waste at source. Apart from the exhibitions, the Campaign will also organise district activities and join with housing estates to encourage residents to join the Food Wise Ambassador Scheme and other waste reduction activities.
The first roving exhibition is being held at the G/F, Telford Plaza I from today until September 21, featuring display panels with food waste reduction tips and highlighting the efforts and achievements of organisations from various sectors such as housing estates, schools, food premises and food donation organisations.
Big Waster, a character who symbolises food wastage in the FWHK Campaign, is gradually gaining popularity. To enhance interaction with the public, Big Waster has launched a Facebook page with up-to-date messages and event information on food waste reduction. Big Waster fans mustn't miss out on this!
At today's event, Mr Wong also presented certificates of appreciation to award-winning tenant of the Food Waste Reduction Pledge scheme organised by MTR Malls to commend their efforts in implementing food waste reduction plans and reducing food waste by 15 per cent or more over the year.
The FWHK Campaign was officially launched in May last year. It encourages behavioural changes in the community through various food waste reduction programmes including the Food Wise Charter, the FWHK Ambassador Scheme and a series of promotional and educational activities. Up to now, over 370 organisations have signed the Food Wise Charter, pledging to put into practice food waste reduction in their daily operations. The FWHK Campaign encourages relevant industries to sign the Food Wise Charter proactively and contribute their efforts to reduce food waste. About 1 300 Food Wise Ambassadors have received training and assisted in spreading the Food Wise message throughout the community.
Aside from reducing waste at source, food donation is one of the important measures promoted by the FWHK Campaign, achieving the dual purposes of caring for the community and waste reduction. The Government has earmarked $100 million in the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) for application by organisations to implement projects on waste reduction, of which one-third will be allocated to projects relating to food waste treatment and reduction. Meanwhile, the ECF has set aside $50 million for food waste recycling projects at housing estates.
Other officiating guests at today's event included the Chairman of the Subcommittee of Food Waste Reduction Good Practices in Institutions and Commercial and Industrial Establishments of the FWHK Steering Committee, Mr Daryl Ng; Chairman of the Subcommittee of General Education and Publicity of the FWHK Steering Committee, Mr Poon Kai-tik; Chairman of the Kwun Tong District Council, Dr Chan Chun-bun; and Property Director of the MTR Corporation, Mr David Tang.
For more details of the FWHK Campaign roving exhibition, please visit the thematic website at www.foodwisehk.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, September 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:13
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