YEA 4th Edition, Day 3: Waste Management, Sustainable Consumption & Field Trips to Redress and Vessel Repair

On 29 July 2025, the Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) programme brought our students face-to-face with some of Hong Kong’s most pressing environmental challenges: waste management and sustainable consumption. Although Black Rainstorm occurred that day, thankfully it passed quickly and all students arrived safely. The unusual weather served as a powerful reminder of the increasing climate-related challenges we face and underscored the need for resilient, sustainable practices in how we consume and manage waste. Through talks, brainstorming sessions, and immersive field visits, students gained valuable insights.

Ms Peggy Cheung, our Senior Community Empowerment Officer at Civic Exchange

The day began with an enlightening talk delivered by Ms Peggy Cheung, our Senior Community Empowerment Officer at Civic Exchange, on the current state of waste management in Hong Kong. The presentation highlighted the key challenges in Hong Kong’s waste landscape, particularly the impact of the linear economy and prevalent consumption-and-disposal habits. It also addressed threats like increasing waste volume and contamination in recycling streams, while outlining practical solutions to promote reduction at source and proper waste segregation.

Following this, Ms Phoebe Luk, a Community Empowerment Intern at Civic Exchange, addressed sustainable consumption. The presentation covered global and local consumption trends, showcasing eye-opening data on fast fashion, food waste, unsustainable eating habits, and travel impacts. It impressed upon students the urgency of modifying their consumption behaviours by illustrating how small, mindful lifestyle changes can make a big difference for the planet.

After these presentations, students were guided through the YEA project planning process. This interactive session encouraged discussion with Civic Exchange colleagues, sharing ideas and brainstorming project topics. The four core themes — decarbonisation, nature-based solutions, waste management, and sustainable consumption — provided a framework as students began to form groups and develop their aspirations. The engagement and enthusiasm were inspiring to witness, and we look forward to watching the students’ projects evolve. Between the two activities, we enjoyed a quick lunch at a nearby pizza place, providing an additional opportunity for students to connect and begin forming their project groups.

In the afternoon, learning extended beyond the classroom with two meaningful site visits. The first stop was Redress, a leading environmental organisation tackling textile waste. Here, students observed firsthand how second-hand clothes are sorted — whether for resale, donation, downcycling, or, unfortunately, landfill. The towering pile of clothes served as a powerful reminder of the environmental consequences of fast fashion. The visit helped students understand that recycling textiles and promoting sustainable fashion are critical in reducing landfill pollution, especially since materials like polyester persist in the environment for many years. Redress emphasised the shared responsibility of both government and individuals in addressing this issue.

Next, the group visited Vessel Repair’s workshop, where students learned about electronic waste (e-waste) — a growing concern in Hong Kong due to daily e-waste production. The team explained severe pollution risks from improper disposal and the importance of recycling and safe disposal. To conclude the visit, students took part in a hands-on workshop repairing 13A plugs, discovering that repairing rather than replacing electronics is a simple yet effective strategy to reduce e-waste and prolong device lifespans.

This day’s events underscored the critical role of waste management and sustainable consumption in environmental conservation. We thank our partners for their invaluable contributions. The students left motivated and better equipped to become champions of these vital issues in their communities.