As the Chinese New Year dawns, bringing joyful celebrations, lavish feasts, and indulgent traditions, it also comes with a less festive reality: a sharp increase in food waste. In a city where over 3,500 tons of food waste are sent to landfills daily, this holiday period sees a significant surge due to family gatherings, over-purchasing, and excessive preparations.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has consistently highlighted the wastefulness that accompanies festive celebrations. During Chinese New Year, food waste increases by 20-30%, with discarded surplus from reunion dinners and festive hampers contributing heavily to the problem. This amounts to approximately 4,500 tonnes of food waste daily during the holiday period—enough to fill about 300 double-decker buses every day!

Why Does Food Waste Spike During Chinese New Year?
Over-purchasing: Holiday promotions and the cultural emphasis on abundance tempt consumers to buy more than they need.
Large-scale celebrations: Reunion feasts and festive buffets often result in excessive quantities of food being prepared.
Festive leftovers: Despite good intentions, much of what remains from feasts is discarded rather than consumed or stored properly.
A Time for Change
Chinese New Year, while synonymous with abundance, also offers a unique opportunity to reflect on our habits and adopt more sustainable practices to reduce food waste. Across Hong Kong, innovative solutions are already making an impact, with businesses and individuals leading the way toward a greener future:
Food Surplus Donation: Organizations like Feeding Hong Kong encourage households and businesses to donate excess food to those in need, ensuring it doesn’t go to waste.
Innovative Apps: Platforms like Yindii connect businesses with surplus food to consumers seeking great deals, transforming unsold food into valuable resources instead of landfill waste.
New Habits for a Greener Celebration
As we welcome the Year of the Snake, the festive period is an ideal time to embrace eco-conscious behaviors that make a real impact. Here are some habits to consider:
Mindful Shopping: Plan meals carefully and resist the urge to over-purchase during holiday sales. This reduces waste while saving money.
Creative Cooking: Transform leftovers or overlooked ingredients into new dishes. Turn uneaten mooncakes into puddings or festive snacks into creative desserts.
Proper Storage and Sharing: Store leftovers correctly to extend their shelf life, or share excess food with neighbors to ensure it doesn’t go to waste.
Trust Your Senses: Instead of relying solely on expiry dates, use your senses to evaluate food quality. Look for signs of spoilage, smell for freshness, and taste cautiously to avoid wasting food unnecessarily.
This Chinese New Year, let’s turn the spirit of giving into a commitment to sustainability. Every meal saved, every thoughtful portion planned, and every donation made brings us closer to a greener, more responsible Hong Kong. Together, we can make the celebrations of today a legacy of care for tomorrow.
For more information on food waste solutions and tips, visit Yindii. Together, we can make the season brighter for both people and the planet.
Commentaires