Some 400 eatery outlets across Hong Kong have signed on to the The Food Wise Eateries Scheme launched Monday, showing their support for a “food wise” culture.
By joining the Scheme they commit themselves to cultivating the practice of “waste less” among their customers as well as taking measures to reduce food waste.
Launched by the Environmental Protection Department, the Food Wise Eateries Scheme encourages collaboration among eateries and their customers to reduce waste at source. The participating eateries commit to conveying the “food wise” message to their customers, offering food portioning options, encouraging customers to order only the amount of food required, to consume it all and take away leftovers after meals, as well as adopting food waste reduction measures.
Secretary for the Environment, Wong Kam-sing, officiated at the launch, which was attended by more than 100 representatives from the food and beverage sector. Wong said food waste accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the total waste disposed of in Hong Kong’s landfills.
The Environment Bureau released A Food Waste and Yard Waste Plan for Hong Kong 2014-2022 last year to outline ways to tackle the issue, including the launch of the Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign. Through the Campaign, it is hoped that food waste can be reduced by five to 10 per cent by 2017-18.
Apart from reducing food waste, Wong said the eateries could also benefit from saving operating costs by their participation in the scheme. He called for collaborative efforts in promoting the “food wise” culture, adding that the amount of food waste would decrease gradually in the coming years if the community as a whole adopts the spirit of “waste less”.
The Food Wise Eateries Scheme is one of the key programs of the territory-wide Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign, which was launched in 2013. The Scheme consists of two classes to recognise the commitment of participating eateries, namely Gold Class and Silver Class. Silver Class eateries should fulfill requirements including conveying the “food wise” message to customers, encouraging their customers to consume all ordered food or take away leftovers, and adopting food portioning options or food waste reduction measures.
In addition to the basic requirements of Silver Class, Gold Class eateries should also adopt at least three additional measures to reduce food waste including strengthening management and commitment, conducting training and promotion, paying attention to food processing or implementing food donation and food waste recycling.
Food retailers join Food Wise Eateries Scheme
