By Deepa Alex Mora and Father Jijo Kandamkulathy CMF
In the year 1224, a humble friar named St. Francis of Assisi penned a prayer that has reverberated through the ages, the “Canticle of the Creatures.” In this lyrical ode to nature, St. Francis extolled the beauty and wonder of the natural world, imploring all people to cherish and safeguard the earth’s gifts.
His words, infused with deep reverence for the environment, continue to inspire individuals of all faiths to live in harmony with nature and act as stewards of our precious planet.
Pope Francis, echoing St. Francis’s teachings, issued a clarion call to action for humanity to embrace integral ecology, a holistic approach that recognises the interconnectedness of all living beings and the delicate balance of nature. In his landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, the pope urged us to recognise the “ecological sins” that threaten our planet and to adopt a radical shift in our relationship with the natural world.
In his recent apostolic exhortation, Laudato Deum [Praise God], a follow-up to Laudato Si’, he reiterated his urgent call for action to address the climate crisis and protect the environment. He issued a clarion call to action for the protection of our planet and all its inhabitants.
Building upon the foundation laid in Laudato Si’, Laudato Deum offers a deeper exploration of integral ecology, emphasising the interconnectedness of all living beings and our shared responsibility for the care of creation.
As a vibrant global financial hub, Hong Kong stands at the forefront of innovation and progress, yet it faces an inevitable consequence of its success: the generation of a significant amount of waste. This waste, while posing a challenge, also presents a remarkable opportunity for the city to transform itself into a beacon of sustainable practices.
By embracing waste upcycling, Hong Kong can not only address its environmental footprint but also foster economic growth, create new employment opportunities, and establish itself as a global leader in sustainable solutions. Waste upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials into new products of equal or greater value, creating a circular economy that reduces waste generation and promotes resource efficiency.
At the heart of Hong Kong’s waste upcycling strategy lies the power of innovation, drawing upon advancements in fields such as biotechnology, synthetic biology, material engineering, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technologies. These cutting-edge innovations hold immense promise for upcycling waste materials into valuable resources.
Biotechnology and synthetic biology, in particular, offer promising avenues for transforming waste into biofuels, biodegradable packaging, value-added consumer products, eco-friendly construction materials, and even precious metals from electronic waste. By harnessing the power of microorganisms and engineering biological systems, we can unlock the potential of waste, turning it from a burden into a source of innovation and value creation.
The journey towards waste upcycling requires the collective effort of all stakeholders in society: the government, associations, businesses, entrepreneurs, and universities. Each stakeholder plays a crucial role in driving innovation, implementing sustainable practices, and fostering a culture of waste upcycling.
The government can provide policy incentives, support research and development, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders to create an enabling environment for waste upcycling. Associations can promote best practices, advocate for sustainable waste management strategies, and educate the public on the importance of waste reduction and upcycling.
Businesses can adopt circular economy models, invest in innovative waste upcycling technologies, and incorporate sustainability into their operations, creating a demand for upcycled products and services. Entrepreneurs can develop innovative waste-to-product solutions, create sustainable businesses, and contribute to economic diversification. Universities can conduct cutting-edge research in waste upcycling technologies, provide education and training, and collaborate with industry partners to develop practical solutions.
By working together, these stakeholders can create a robust ecosystem of waste upcycling in Hong Kong.
While Hong Kong has made some strides, there is still much room for improvement. We need a dramatic increase in the adoption of innovative waste-to-product solutions and a cultural shift towards waste-conscious practices. Hong Kong can set a global precedent for sustainable practices.
As Hong Kong transforms itself into a hub of waste upcycling, it can inspire and help other global cities to adopt similar practices and reduce their environmental footprint. The city’s journey towards waste upcycling can be a testament to its commitment to environmental stewardship, its dedication to innovation, and its vision of building a sustainable future for generations to come.
This journey is not without its challenges, but with the collective spirit of innovation and stewardship, Hong Kong can rise to the challenge and become a leading light in sustainable waste management. As we enter this season of joy and renewal, let us carry the spirit of stewardship and innovation into the coming year.
In the echoes of St. Francis’ timeless teachings and the contemporary wisdom of Laudato Si’ and Laudato Deum, may we find inspiration to continue our journey as caretakers of our precious planet.”
Deepa Alex Mora, is a biotech professional with a PhD in plant molecular biology. She recently founded a startup based in Macau, dedicated to pioneering advancements in upcycling waste into cutting-edge consumer products.
