Corporate Social Responsibility Case Study - Environmental performance / Community development
Airport Authority - Greening the Airport Using Food Wastes

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has implemented a sustainability initiative designed to address both the challenge of food waste reduction in the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) and to promote local community involvement at the airport by inviting 120 pupils from local schools to take part in a farming competition making use of the food waste compost product.

The initiative demonstrates an innovative approach to waste minimisation and practical waste re-utilisation, coupled with the educational value of involving classes from eight Tung Chung schools in a practical, hands on educational project at the airport that lends itself to environmental education on a range of issues. A driving force for this project has been a desire to engage the local community in an airport initiative in a meaningful and useful way.

Cooperation has been gained from restaurant operators in the PTB, who collect waste food which is then broken down using composting units operated by AAHK. These produce an effective and chemical free fertiliser, which is then available to use on the garden plots set aside for each participating Primary and Secondary school team. Pupils plan, plant and then tend vegetable beds making use of technical advice and training provided by the Produce Green Foundation of Hong Kong.

A mix of vegetables including lettuce and brassicas have been planted along with plants like mint and marigold to provide chemical free pest control. At the end of a six-month period the produce from each plot will be judged with prizes awarded to the winners in a range of competition categories.

AAHK's business partners have been very helpful in providing additional waste food collection and separation and have been happy to contribute to a meaningful initiative. For a very reasonable cost outlay, a great deal has been achieved.

"The organic farming garden is a symbol of the cooperation and innovative thinking that typifies our airport community"