A major new campaign to reduce food waste was launched at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 25 March as part of its deep commitment to social responsibility and promoting environmental protection.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging all students and staff to pledge themselves to more sustainable ways of living and protecting the environment.

The Hon Leung Chun-ying, Council Chairman of CityU, and Mr Edward Yau Tang-wah, Secretary for the Environment of HKSAR Government, attended the kick-off ceremony. In his opening remarks, Mr Leung said he and Mr Yau were wearing green and blue ties, respectively, to promote the idea of a better Hong Kong, with a bright blue sky, clean water and a greener landscape.

Mr Leung said a university should educate people, conduct research and serve the community for the well-being of society. Likewise, university graduates should not only be well equipped with professional knowledge and technical skills, they should also be willing to take up social responsibility.

To encourage all members of the CityU community to take part in activities for environmental protection, the CityU Council has set up the University Social Responsibility Committee.

“To better utilise our resources and reduce pollution, we pledge to reduce and properly manage food waste generated on campus. I urge all colleagues and students to participate in this campaign and take appropriate action,” Mr Leung said.

All CityU members have a duty to help protect the environment, produce less waste, disseminate the idea of environmental protection and persuade others to join the cause, he added.

Other distinguished guests attending the ceremony included Professor Arthur Ellis, Provost, Mr Gabriel Chan Sai-man, Chief Administration Officer, Professor Johnny Chan Chung-leung, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment and Chairman of CityU’s Environmental Protection Committee, Dr Cheung Chor-yung, Dean of Students, and Mr Wong Ka-yu, Director of the Campus Development and Facilities Office.

They joined representatives of the Environmental Protection Society of CityU Students’ Union to complete a jigsaw puzzle that bore a message in Chinese aimed at encouraging the entire CityU community to lead environmentally friendly lives and reduce food waste.

To support the campaign, all student canteens and staff restaurants have introduced measures such as flexible food portions. In addition, CityU’s Chinese Restaurant has created six low-carbon dishes, and will introduce similar menus soon.

Some outlets are also involved in Save Food Day, which is organised by Greeners Action, a local non-profit organisation, to encourage people to cherish food.

In addition, CityU, along with 10 other local tertiary institutions, has signed the Charter on Cutting Food Waste. The objective is to sharpen the community’s awareness of food waste and to take action to tackle it.