3500K 3000K 2500K 2000K 1500K 1000K 500K 0K Kg Paper Glass Metal Plastic Food Waste Animal Bedding Landscape Wood Electrical A Other Landfill 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 HKUST Sustainability 29 Environment Social and Governance Report 2021-22 HKUST’s Waste and Recyclables Generation in the 2021-22 Academic Year In the 2021-22 academic year, HKUST’s waste generation to the landfill increased by 8% due to the gradual reopening of face-toface classes and activities. However, this figure is nearly 53% less compared to that of the base year in 2014. This reduction was achieved through continuously increased recycling over the past few years. HKUST has been recycling 15 types of recyclables including paper, plastic, metal, wood, polyfoam, animal bedding, and landscape waste. Due to such efforts, HKUST met the 2020 Challenge target of eliminating 50% of the baseline amount of waste to the landfill. In the HKUST 2028 Sustainability Target, we are now aiming for diverting 75% of waste away from landfills. Based on the table below, although the amount of waste in landfill increased slightly compared to that of the previous year, the number of total recyclables and compostables increased from 1,031 tons to 1,120 tons. This accounts for more than tenfold that of` the baseline year. The waste diversion rate stands at 41.5%, which is roughly similar to last year. Waste Generation Overview in 2021/2022 Waste There is an urgent need to protect the HKUST community from increasing waste and develop the world into a more sustainable circular economy. Various types of waste such as plastics, e-waste, and food waste pollute our ecosystem and affect our health. To prevent emissions of harmful substances from waste, we urge the community to take initiatives in responsible resource use behaviors, increase the use of recycled content, and keep use of the reuse, repair, and recycling programs.
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