Despite the suspension of Hong Kong's garbage fee policy, food waste remains a significant problem. In 2023, food waste accounted for 30% of urban solid waste, yet the recycling rate was as low as 5%. In response to this challenge, the community-driven "Soil Trust" project, led by Dr Markus Wernli, Research Assistant Professor of the School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has taken an innovative approach to the problem. They have adapted Japan's Bokashi household food waste composting method, established an experimental farm at Pat Heung, and actively engaged with the community. The team was also honoured with the Promising Award from the international "Don Norman Design Award" (DNDA).
The Soil Trust project is a collaborative initiative that brings together PolyU students, members of ethnic minority communities, and participants from local food workshops. It aims to address food waste issue through eco-friendly farming experiments and community engagement. The project has also developed the “Growers Without Borders” service-learning programme. By combining eco-friendly farming practices with creative community participation, it promotes sustainable land management while tackling the critical issue of food waste. Through the programme, people from diverse backgrounds participate in eco-social farming practices, using kitchen scraps to enrich the soil.
In a recent media interview, Dr Markus Wernli highlighted that the Bokashi method offers a sustainable solution for managing food waste. This anaerobic process utilises microorganisms to ferment kitchen waste into fertilizer, providing a convenient and odorless solution for home composting. He emphasised that this effective process reduces the carbon footprint of food waste, raises community awareness, and contributes to Hong Kong's sustainable development efforts.
The team’s project, "Soil Trust: Co-producing Local Soil-to-Soil Food Economies" was shortlisted as one of the top eight finalists in the "Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development" category of The Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2024. This accomplishment highlights the PolyU team’s exceptional success in advancing sustainable community development and pioneering innovative farming practices.
Full interview with Ming Pao Daily News (In Chinese Only)
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