{"id":35323,"date":"2026-05-26T09:35:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T01:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srsdo.cuhk.edu.hk\/home\/?page_id=35323"},"modified":"2026-06-04T14:51:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T06:51:26","slug":"waste-reduction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/srsdo.cuhk.edu.hk\/home\/waste-reduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Waste Reduction"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Waste Reduction and Recycling<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|on|off” _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”23px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.11.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto|900|||||||” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_3_font_size_phone=”20px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” header_3_font_size__hover=”22px” header_3_font_size__hover_enabled=”22px” header_3_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” header_3_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”0px” header_3_line_height__hover=”1em” header_3_line_height__hover_enabled=”1em” header_3_text_shadow_style__hover=”none” header_3_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” header_3_text_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” header_3_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” use_background_color_gradient__hover=”off” use_background_color_gradient__hover_enabled=”off” background_color_gradient_start__hover=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_start__hover_enabled=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end__hover=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_end__hover_enabled=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type__hover=”linear” background_color_gradient_type__hover_enabled=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction__hover=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction__hover_enabled=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover=”center” background_color_gradient_direction_radial__hover_enabled=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover=”0%” background_color_gradient_start_position__hover_enabled=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover=”100%” background_color_gradient_end_position__hover_enabled=”100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover=”off” background_color_gradient_overlays_image__hover_enabled=”off” parallax__hover=”off” parallax__hover_enabled=”off” parallax_method__hover=”on” parallax_method__hover_enabled=”on” background_size__hover=”cover” background_size__hover_enabled=”cover” background_position__hover=”center” background_position__hover_enabled=”center” background_repeat__hover=”no-repeat” background_repeat__hover_enabled=”no-repeat” background_blend__hover=”normal” background_blend__hover_enabled=”normal” allow_player_pause__hover=”off” allow_player_pause__hover_enabled=”off” background_video_pause_outside_viewport__hover=”on” background_video_pause_outside_viewport__hover_enabled=”on” max_width__hover=”100%” max_width__hover_enabled=”100%” header_2_font_size__hover=”26px” header_2_font_size__hover_enabled=”26px” header_2_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” header_2_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”0px” header_2_line_height__hover=”1em” header_2_line_height__hover_enabled=”1em” header_2_text_shadow_style__hover=”none” header_2_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” header_2_text_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” header_2_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)”]Hong Kong faces serious waste disposal challenges, as its three strategic landfills are nearing their full capacities.\u00a0 CUHK takes a proactive approach to combating Hong Kong’s landfill problem by wasting less, and reusing and recycling more. We are making great progress: from 2009\/10 to 2024\/25, CUHK’s per-capita municipal solid waste disposal decreased by 15% while the recycling quantities increased by 105%.\u00a0 Our aggressive achievements in waste reduction and recycling can be attributed to several factors:[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs active_tab_background_color=”#28ffbb” inactive_tab_background_color=”#03633e” active_tab_text_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” tab_text_color=”#FFFFFF” tab_font_size=”20px” tab_letter_spacing=”1px” width=”91.9%” hover_enabled=”0″ border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_tab title=”Policies and Guidelines” _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nCUHK’s Waste Management Policy, based on a ‘waste management hierarchy’, emphasizes the ‘6Rs’ principle: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle.\u00a0 We accord top priority to waste reduction at source and encourage cyclical use of resources.\u00a0 Disposal is the last resort. Read more about CUHK’s\u00a0Waste Management its\u00a0Policy<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Guidelines<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Waste Reduction Initiatives” _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
All colleges, faculties, departments and units within the University implement practices and procedures to minimise waste. Some examples for our key waste streams include:<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Paper<\/strong><\/td>\nUse of financial information systems for storing purchase orders and tender documents electronically.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Food Waste<\/strong><\/td>\nFood Waste Pre-treatment System<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has developed a food waste pre-treatment system, reinventing food waste recycling. The world’s first prototype is being tested on the CUHK campus. With this patented technology, food waste is converted into slurry on-site and is then delivered to the Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works for biogas production.<\/span>
\nLearn more<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

Food Waste Collection<\/span><\/strong>
\nIn addition to the use of the Food TranSmarter, CUHK has participated in the Pilot Scheme on Food Waste Collection launched by the Environmental Protection Department. Food waste collected from CUHK canteens is sent to O\u00b7PARK1 for recycling.<\/span>
\nLearn more<\/u><\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

E-waste<\/strong><\/td>\nDevelopment of procedures to facilitate the proper treatment of regulated electrical equipment (REE), i.e. air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers (including desktops, laptops and tablets), printers, scanners and monitors, and non-REE, so as to minimize their impact on the environment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Construction and Demolition Waste<\/strong><\/td>\nThis is generally reused, sold, or otherwise sent to public fill (inert wastes) to be used in land reclamation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Used Furniture<\/strong><\/td>\nUnits with unwanted furniture are encouraged to post notices in their weekly mass emails to staff and students so that it can be reused by others.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hazardous Waste<\/strong><\/td>\nThe handling of hazardous waste is strictly controlled on campus. For Guidelines, procedures and contingency plans for hazardous waste, please refer to the website of the University Safety Office<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Awareness Programmes” _builder_version=”4.11.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

To raise the environmental awareness of its students and staff, CUHK also launches various campaigns to engage stakeholders in its waste reduction mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Waste-free Campus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting in January 2026, the \u201cWaste-free Campus\u201d initiative will encourage students and staff to embrace climate-positive behaviour that contributes to achieving carbon neutrality. This initiative includes programmes, measures and efforts that align with the university\u2019s Waste Management Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Waste-free Campus campaign logo<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Bring Your Own Campaign and Water Dispenser Map Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

Launched in 2013 to promote a less wasteful culture, this campaign seeks to discourage the use of disposable items such as bags, lunchboxes and bottles.\u00a0 Key elements of the campaign include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Provide sponsorship to purchase water bottles with a ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ message for O’Camp students; and<\/li>\n
    2. CUHK Mobile app showing the location of water dispensers on campus. Browse the water dispenser map: ‘CUHK Mobile’ > Campus Map > Facilities > Living Essentials > Water Dispensers;\u00a0 or visit the CUHK Campus Map<\/a> on the website.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Water dispenser map in CUHK Mobile app<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Love Food, Hate Waste @CUHK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Launched in 2013, this campaign aims to reduce campus food waste disposal to landfills<\/p>\n

For details, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Love Food, Hate Waste @CUHK Campaign Poster<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Green Office Programme (GO!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Launched in 2012, this programme revolves around a ‘GO! Checklist’ of green actions in which waste reduction is one of the nine action categories.\u00a0 ‘GO<\/a>!’ encourages staff and students to take simple measures to make their workplaces greener, and provides a platform for sharing successful green practices.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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GO! Green Award Ceremony<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Our \u2018Yard for Environmental Sustainability (YES)\u2019 in central campus allows us to collect reusable and recyclable materials for reuse, recycling and up-cycling. Staff and students can visit the YES to drop off or pick up items that can easily be reused from the cabinets. Materials will be recycled only when they cannot reasonably be reused.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Reuse and Recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n

More than 200 strategic locations<\/a> have been established to collect recyclables. Recycling bins for paper, plastics and metals can be found throughout the campus and in most buildings.\u00a0 In addition, collection points have been established for other materials such as glass, printer cartridges, used clothes, banners, rechargeable batteries and polyfoam packaging.<\/p>\n

Other facilities that encourage the recovery of waste materials include:<\/p>\n

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