Environmental and Social Implications of Food Waste in Hong Kong

This report examines the critical issue of food waste in Hong Kong, highlighting its detrimental effects on the environment and the quality of life for its citizens. The analysis reveals that food waste contributes significantly to air, water, and soil pollution, leading to health issues and social challenges. The report discusses the limitations of Hong Kong's landfill capacity and the generation of methane gas, which exacerbates air quality concerns. It also evaluates the government's Food Waste Recycling program and its impact on residents, including the introduction of waste segregation and fines. Furthermore, the report explores the broader implications of pollution on public health and well-being, emphasizing the need for effective solutions such as composting plants and public education initiatives. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing food waste to protect both the environment and the future of Hong Kong's population.

PROBLEM RECOGNITION

PART A: PROBLEM RECOGNITION
Food waste problem is being regarded as one of the most serious issues in Hong Kong.
This issue is getting fire because of its association with the number of other problems. In this
regard, it is examined that the problem of food waste in Hong Kong is giving rise to the air,
water and soil pollution in the country (Zan and et.al., 2017). Thus, it is correct to say that the
problem of food waste is affecting the quality of life on the social aspect of Hong Kong people.
Herein, it is examined that with an aim to live high-quality life an individual need a fresh air to
breathe and sustain. But, high amount of food waste is depreciating the Hong Kong people’s
quality of life. Herein, it is examined that in Hong Kong there are not sufficient landfills are
available which can store tons and tons of food wastage by people. Further, food waste that ends
up in the landfills produces a large amount of methane which ultimately affects the quality of air.
Further, high amount of methane can cause oxygen deprivation and it can ultimately lead to
suffocation. In addition, there are some foods which do not easily dissolve in land and thus
hampering the soil quality in Hong Kong. These all factors cause a negative impact on the
quality of life of Hong Kong people. This is because, food waste which ultimately transforms
into a different type of pollutions make people vulnerable to different health issues such as
vomiting, headache, and slurred speech etc (Lam and et.al., 2018). These all things affect social
life of an individual. This is because; if an individual is suffered from the given type of diseases
then in the given situation they will not be able to meet with others. It is through this way only
quality of life of Hong Kong people on social aspect is affecting negatively due to food waste
problem.
Besides this, it can also be said that different methods of dealing food waste are affecting
Hong Kong people differently. In this regard, different tactics of Hong Kong government
examined which is being used by it with an aim to deal with the issue of food waste in an
effectual way. Herein, it is examined that the government of Hong Kong has introduced Food
Waste Recycling program. In accordance with the given program, there are three step processes
to recycle food waste and these are separation, collection and recycle. The respective is affecting
the life of Hong Kong people. This is because; due to the implication of respective program now
a day people of Hong Kong have to segregate their food waste in the different categories such as
pre consumer food waste and post-consumer food waste etc (Xiao & Siu, 2018). In this regard, it
can be depicted that the given thing has added one more activity in the life of Hong Kong people.
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Further, the government of Hong Kong has decided to make fine on the people who will do food
wastage. This thing has also impacted the life of people in a positive way. This is because now a
day people of Hong Kong will try to consume and make that much amount of food only which
they consider is essential in a one specific day. Thus, the given thing has changed their practice
of purchasing and keeping a huge amount of food in advance.
The pollution has a direct impact on the life of people irrespective of its type. For
example, methane gas which is being generated due to food waste in landfills affects the quality
of air which is being regarded as one of the most important elements for the survival of human
being on the earth. Thus, this gas leads to different kind of diseases. The disease makes the life
of people worst. This is because; any kind of diseases will have a direct impact on human mind.
Thus, the diseases also reduce people’s tendency to perform a different type of things in an
effectual manner. Additionally, the given thing will increase frustration and depression among
the people. Thus, it is due to the presence of given aspect it is correct to say that the pollution is
affecting the life of Hong Kong people negatively.
The government policies which are mentioned above will help in improving the life of
Hong Kong people. This is because the given policies will provide direction to the people of
Hong Kong in relation to the things which that they need to perform in relation to the food
wastage. Further, due to these policies Hong Kong people can save food for the future generation
(Awasthi, Selvam & Wong, 2018). This is because, if given policies will not be adopted by
people of Hong Kong then in the given situation one day will come in which no food will be left
in the country due to wastage. Further, the pollution percentage of the country will also rise up to
extreme condition. Thus, it is because of these things only the policies identified will help in
improving the life of Hong Kong people in an effectual manner.
However, there are different solutions suggested with an aim to tackle the problem of
food wastage effectively. At first, it is suggested to the government of Hong Kong that it should
install some big plant for composting the organic and non-organic wastage of food. These
composed materials should be used for making the production of food. In addition to this, it is
also suggested that government of a nation should launch some program in which it should
educate its citizens about the importance of not making wastage of food. This is because it has
been seen that through education government can reach on to a large number of people. Thus, it
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can also influence people for not performing wastage of food. These all thing will have a positive
effect on the issue of food wastage in Hong Kong.
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REFERENCE
Awasthi, M. K., Selvam, A. & Wong, J. W. (2018). Bio-degradation of oily food waste
employing thermophilic bacterial strains. Bioresource technology, 248, 141-147.
Lam, C. M. and et.al., (2018). Life-cycle cost-benefit analysis on sustainable food waste
management: The case of Hong Kong International Airport. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 187, 751-762.
Xiao, J. X., & Siu, K. W. M. (2018). Challenges in food waste recycling in high-rise buildings
and public design for sustainability: A case in Hong Kong. Resources, Conservation and
Recycling, 131, 172-180.
Zan, F. and et.al., (2017). The characteristics of household food waste in Hong Kong and their
implications for sewage quality and energy recovery. Waste Management.
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